Sciatic Nerve

The sciatic nerve, the dominant nerve that innervates the lower back and lower extremities, runs from the lower back through the hips, buttocks and down each leg. It is the longest and widest nerve in the body and plays an important role in the nervous system by supporting the muscles of the lower leg (including the calf, ankle, and back of the knee) as well as supplying sensation to the sole of the foot, ankle, lower leg and back of the thigh. It is a mixed-function nerve containing both sensory neurons and motor neurons, meaning it simultaneously enables muscles to feel and to move. Any damage to the sciatic nerve can result in lower back pain, muscle weakness, and abnormal reflexes. Symptoms usually affect the lower leg, showing up in a number of ways such as leg pain, problems with bending the knee, shooting pain from the buttocks to the lower leg, or an inability to rotate or bend the foot properly.

Sciatica

Sciatica, a spinal cord injury, manifests itself in shooting pains that radiate along the path of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched or damaged. It is commonly a result of a herniated disc in the spine or a bone spur, which is an overgrowth of a bone, on the vertebrae. An interesting thing about sciatica is that it can be severe one day and gone the next. It emerges as flare-ups and often strikes without warning.

Symptoms of Sciatica Include:

• Severe pain radiating from the lower spine to the buttocks and down to the back of the leg and/or to the foot or toes
• Limited mobility without pain
• Discomfort anywhere along the nerve pathway
• Numbness or tingling sensation in one or both of the legs
• Muscle weakness
• Sharp pain often described as a jolt or electric shock

Risk Factors of Sciatica

• Age can cause changes to the body and the spine
• Weight can cause stress to the spine and promote spinal changes that trigger sciatica
• Occupations that require heavy lifting, bending, twisting, or driving motor vehicles for long periods of time can trigger sciatica
• Sedentary lifestyles can contribute to sciatica due to prolonged sitting
• Diabetes affects the way the body uses blood sugar and increases the risk of nerve damage, therefore, increasing the risk of sciatica

Preventing (and relieving) Sciatica

Proper posture when you are sitting can prevent sciatica; especially with a sedentary lifestyle. It is easy to slouch at your desk or while sitting on the couch, however, that can wreak havoc on your spine. You can encourage proper posture by sitting in furniture with good lower back support, armrests, and a swivel. If you need further assistance in maintaining good posture, place a pillow at the small of your back to help maintain its normal curve. The knees and hips should be level as well.

Exercising keeps the back strong. When you are performing your normal routine, focus on your core muscles in the abdomen and lower back, as it is essential for alignment, proper posture, and improves spinal health. Low impact aerobic exercises, strength training, and flexibility training are all important exercises to help ease sciatica.

Don’t smoke, for a number of health reasons. However, in this case, nicotine reduces blood supply to the bones, weakening the spine and vertebral disks which puts more stress on the spine and potentially causing additional problems.

Weight Management can help manage and prevent sciatica. Maintaining a healthy body weight can reduce the strain and stress on your spine.

Vitamin C and Sciatica

Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is a well known and powerful antioxidant that helps rid the body of free radicals. Studies have shown that Vitamin C combined with Vitamin E can help alleviate nerve injury such as injury to the sciatic nerve. Vitamin C not only helps to boost the immune system but can be an aid for easing the shooting pain of sciatica.

Amandean Liposomal Vitamin C is easy to incorporate into your diet. It is sugar-free, soy-free, vegan-friendly, and made from non-GMO sunflower lecithin. Liposomal Vitamin C has an advanced delivery system for maximum bioavailability and high absorption. Unlike traditional Vitamin C tablets, powders, or pills, liquid liposomal Vitamin C bi-passes the digestive system and is delivered directly to the cells that need it most.

Other Known Sciatica Relief Remedies

• Hot or cold packs to place on the area can offer pain relief.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen
• Prescription muscle relaxants that can help ease muscle spasms
• Attend physical therapy or see a chiropractor
• Talk with a doctor if the sciatica pain becomes severe and/or debilitating

Bottom Line

Sciatica can be unexpected. It is a painful experience that can cause an array of issues and inconveniences while performing simple daily tasks. Staying aware and intentional about posture, especially while sitting, is important to avoid putting unnecessary pressure on your sciatic nerve. But most of all, being aware of your body and listening to its signals is imperative to maintain good health.

Article References

1. Sciatic nerve. Retrieved June 29, 2020. From https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/multimedia/sciatic-nerve/img-20008248
2. Sciatic Nerve. Retrieved June 29, 2020. From https://www.healthline.com/human-body-maps/sciatic-nerve#2
3. 5 Tips for Coping with Sciatica. Retrieved June 29. From https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-prevention-and-coping
4. Sciatica: Prevention. Retrieved on June 29, 2020. From https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica/prevention
5. Vitamin C Transport and Its Role in the Central Nervous System. Retrieved on June 29, 2020. From https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22116696/