Sciatic nerve where is it picture

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This article provides a detailed description of the anatomical features of the sciatic nerve, along with its specific functions in the lower body. The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back to the foot and is a mixed nerve, which means it has both motor and sensory fibers.

These fibers provide sensation and function in the lower limbs. A combination of 5 nerve roots that exit from inside the lower lumbar and upper sacral spine—L4, L5, S1, S2, and S3—forms the sciatic nerve. These 5 nerves group together deep in the buttock, near the front surface of the piriformis muscle, and combine to form the single large, thick sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed in the lower spine by the combination of spinal nerves L4 to S3. At its origin in the buttock, the sciatic nerve is shaped like a flattened band that is about 5 mm high and 10 mm to 15 mm wide.

As it continues down into the leg, the nerve forms into a more rounded shape. In the pelvis, the sciatic nerve and a few other surrounding nerves and blood vessels exit through an opening called the greater sciatic foramen sciatic notch. This opening is located deep in the buttock, just below the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve then progresses downward between the interconnected muscles of the thigh. It is surrounded by a single long fatty sheath from the pelvis to the knee. At the knee, the nerve divides into two branches.

See Sciatic Nerve and Sciatica. The animation below illustrates the anatomy of the spine and sciatic nerves and the mechanics of sciatic nerve pain and leg pain. Mild sciatica can go away on its own. Self-care measures that may help include ceasing all activity that causes pain, performing stretches of your lower back, applying an ice pack intermittently to the area causing pain, and taking NSAIDs nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen.

If rest, icing or other self-care methods have not improved your condition after three days, consult a physiatrist, spine surgeon or your primary care doctor to discuss your symptoms. If you experience severe numbness, tingling or problems urinating, see a doctor as soon as possible. The doctor will first perform a history and physical examination, and then X-rays and MRI scans will confirm whether there is a lumbar nerve root compression.

In some cases, epidural steroid injections may also help you return to full activity. Severe cases may require spinal decompression surgery. Your doctor or physical therapist may give you instruction about proper bending and lifting to avoid aggravating your condition.

Most people with sciatica get relief from their symptoms within several months. For those patients who do not respond conservative care and experience persistent, disabling sciatica, surgery may be warranted. Your doctor will determine whether you are a candidate for surgery based on the duration and severity of symptoms. You will be given a general anesthetic and will lie face down on the operating table. The surgeon will make a small incision in your back above the affected disc.

The surgeon will then remove a small piece of the bone that protects the nerves. The damaged disc tissue is then removed to alleviate pressure on the nerve. The surgeon will then suture the incision. You will be discharged from hospital within 24 hours. You will have an appointment with a physical therapist who will explain how to move, stretch, and exercise to strengthen your muscles and avoid further injury.

After surgery, you should avoid heavy lifting, sitting for long periods of time, and you may need to reduce your workload for the first two weeks. You should make a full recovery within six weeks. Lumbar Stabilization : If sciatica is being caused by a slip in the vertebrae spondylolisthesis surgical treatment would involve implanting a lumbar stabilization device. Spondylolisthesis can constrict the cauda equina or nerve roots causing sciatic pain.

A lumbar stabilization device, inserted between the spinous process of the affected vertebrae, will align the vertebrae, provide stability, and maintain foraminal height.

Foraminotomy : If an obstruction in the foramen the tunnels on either side of the vertebrae that the nerve roots pass through such as a bone spur is causing compression of a nerve root, a foraminotomy is the best surgical option. A foraminotomy involves enlarging the foramen by removing bone, tissue, or other materials that are pressing on and damaging the nerve root. Removal of the entire lamina, the posterior portion of the vertebra in which the spinal cord and cauda equina runs through. The removal of one laminae, hinging the remaining laminae and structure open, and implanting a device that hold the enlarged structure in place.

At Miami Neouroscience Center we help patients with Sciatica using the latest techiques and treatments, contact us today. Acupuncture can help to relieve sciatic pain as a complement to or replacement for pain relief medications. An acupuncturist inserts very fine needles into specific sites on the body relating to the sciatic nerve. The insertion of the needles is intended to trigger a response within the nervous system. In turn, the brain releases endorphins natural pain killers , stimulates blood flow to the sciatic nerve and surrounding muscles and relaxes the treated area.

Massage therapy can be an effective means of pain relief, particularly from sciatic pain. A massage can help sciatica by relaxing tense muscles and preventing them from putting extra pressure on the nerve roots. A soft tissue massage can also promote the release of endorphins and ease pain.

You should avoid deep tissue massage if you have sciatica, as this may increase pressure on the nerve. Chiropractic therapy is a hands-on method of adjusting the spine to realign the posture and take pressure off the vertebrae. By using gentle manipulation, a chiropractor may be able to relieve sciatic pain. Although spinal adjustments are the foundation of chiropractic care, often, chiropractors also use other techniques to treat sciatica.

These may include:. The following four exercises are low-impact and may help relieve your pain. The aim of the upward pelvic tilt is to strengthen the muscles in the lower abdomen and stretch the lumbar spine. The aim of the knee to chest exercise is to decompress the sciatic nerve in your lower back, which should help ease the pain. The aim of the press up is to flex the back, stretch the spine, and release pressure from the sciatic nerve.

The aim of this exercise is to flex the pelvis and legs and relieve pressure from the sciatic nerve. Sciatica may be acute or chronic. Acute sciatica can last between one and two weeks. Chronic sciatica can flare up on a regular basis, though the pain tends to be less severe than in acute sciatica.

Several things can trigger sciatic pain. These include wearing high heels, being overweight, sitting for long periods of time, wearing tight jeans, and excessive stress. Sleeping with sciatica can be uncomfortable. The most comfortable way to sleep with sciatica is to lie on your back with a pillow behind your knees so they are slightly bent towards the ceiling.

Sleeping on a firm mattress can also make you more comfortable. Taking a warm bath before bed will help your muscles to relax. Sciatic nerve pain location can vary. You may feel it in your lower back, your buttocks, radiating down your legs, or one or more of these locations.