what side is your sciatic nerve on

Many people are wondering which side the sciatic nerve is on, but is actually on both sides of the body. The sciatic nerve, the largest and longest nerve in the body begins as the nerve roots that start from the back of the spine to the pelvic region. From there, the sciatic nerve moves through the leg and the left leg to the right, down to the feet. This is why the symptoms of sciatica can be felt in the buttocks, thighs, legs and feet.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition that describes the symptoms that can occur when the sciatic nerve is compressed. This compression can occur anywhere in the path of the sciatic nerve. It is common for one or more components of the spine - such as a displaced vertebra, enlarged joint facet, or thickened ligament disk bulge - to cause compression of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms usually manifest on one side of the body, and tend to start from the lower back and travel through the buttocks to the back of the legs. Symptoms may include:

cramps

muscular weakness

thrill

burning

numbness

pain

Treatments for Sciatica

If you are diagnosed with sciatica, your doctor may suggest an NSAID regimen for pain control; You can buy these in pharmacies, or your doctor may prescribe a stronger drug. He or she can also refer you to a physiotherapist who can help you increase your range of motion and teach you how to move so as to minimize pain. Steroid drugs can also be injected near the sciatic nerve to reduce inflammation around the nerve. In addition, treatments such as stretching, regular exercise, hot and cold therapy, posture adjustment and weight loss are often involved in the treatment of sciatica.