Where is the sciatic nerve located?
The sciatic nerve starts just outside the base of your spine (lumbar spine and sacral region). It runs through the top of your gluteus muscles (butt) and down the back of your thighs (hamstrings) and lower legs (calves).
How big is your sciatic nerve?
Where your sciatic nerve starts in your lower back is only about 1 centimeter (1/2 inch) wide. As the nerve extends down your legs, it widens slightly. At its thickest point, your sciatic nerve is about 2 centimeters (less than 1 inch) in diameter, or about the size of a penny.
What are the sciatic nerve roots?
Five different nerve roots make up your sciatic nerve:
- Two nerve roots start in your lower back (lumbar spine).
- Three nerve roots start at the bottom of your spine (sacrum).
These sciatic nerve roots join just outside the base of your spine to form the sciatic nerve. All the roots on the left side combine to form your left sciatic nerve while the same is true of the right side roots which combine to form the right sciatic nerve.
What are the sciatic nerve branches?
At your knees, your sciatic nerve splits into two main branches:
- The common peroneal nerve runs from the outer part of your knee to the outer part of your foot (and it also splits into two main branches just below the knee).
- The tibial nerve runs down the back of your calf, extending to your heel and the sole of your foot.
Your sciatic nerve also contains smaller branches at your:
- Hip.
- Inner thigh.
- Lower legs.
- Feet.
FAQs
Structure and Function
The sciatic nerve provides motor innervation to the posterior compartment of the thigh. This includes the biceps femoris, semimembranosus, semitendinosus, and the ischial portion of the adductor magnus, providing knee flexion and hip adduction.
What is the condition of sciatic nerve? ›
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often happens when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on the lumbar spine nerve roots.
What is the function of the sciatic muscle? ›
Your sciatic nerve provides two types of functions: Motor function: Helps the muscles in your leg and feet move. Sensory function: Helps you feel sensations in your legs.
What to do when your sciatica is so bad you can't walk? ›
Getting back on your feet isn't easy when you have extreme sciatica. First, try resting for a few days to see if your flare-up settles down. Use a hot or cold compress to ease your symptoms, or ask a friend, partner, or massage therapist to try some sciatica massage techniques that can ease symptoms.
What organs does the sciatic nerve affect? ›
This nerve controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, the outer and back part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Common causes of sciatica include: Slipped or herniated disk.
Is walking good for sciatica? ›
Walking is a low-impact exercise that can additionally be used as a first-line treatment for existing sciatica. Any weight loss, muscle growth, and movement improvements can support natural recoveries. Meanwhile, walking is shown to reduce inflammation, which is one of the leading causes for actual pain.
What is the fastest way to cure sciatica? ›
You can usually treat a mild case of sciatica yourself with a combination of heat, ice, over-the-counter pain medication, and stretching and strengthening exercises. For more severe pain, your doctor might recommend physical therapy, steroid injections, or surgery.
What is the number one cause of sciatic nerve pain? ›
Common causes of sciatica include: Slipped or herniated disk. Spinal stenosis. Piriformis syndrome (a pain disorder involving the narrow muscle in the buttocks)
What is the number one exercise for sciatica? ›
What Exercises Help Reduce Sciatic Nerve Pain? There are four sciatica exercises your spine specialist may recommend to help you reduce sciatic nerve pain caused by degenerative disc disease: pelvic tilt, knee to chest, lower trunk rotations, and all fours opposite arm and leg extensions.
What are the top 3 exercises for sciatica? ›
3 Simple Stretches for Sciatica Pain Relief
- Scissor hamstring stretch.
- Back flexion stretch. Save. Back flexion exercises gently stretch the mid and lower back tissues and reduce the mechanical compression on spinal nerve roots. ...
- Sciatic nerve glide exercise. Save.
Tramadol. Tramadol is a powerful painkiller related to morphine that can be used to treat neuropathic pain that does not respond to other treatments a GP can prescribe. Like all opioids, tramadol can be addictive if it's taken for a long time. It'll usually only be prescribed for a short time.
How long does it take for sciatica to heal? ›
People can experience sciatic pain in the lower back, buttocks, and down the back of either leg. Sciatica usually gets better in 4–6 weeks, but it could last longer. If the pain is severe or lasts more than 6 weeks, consider talking to a doctor about treatment options.
Is it better to sit or lay down with sciatica? ›
If the pain is excruciating, lying down for short periods can help, but prolonged bed rest does not. So, once the pain becomes manageable, it's important to get up and start walking short distances. Since sitting increases pressure on the discs in the lower back, avoid prolonged sitting or driving.
What is stage 4 sciatica? ›
Stage 4: Resolution is the final stage of Sciatica, characterized by decreased pain or even complete resolution of symptoms. At this stage, the underlying cause of the Sciatica has been resolved, and the individual should be able to return to normal activities.
What is the strongest drug for nerve pain? ›
Anticonvulsants are one of the most effective medications for treating nerve pain. Examples include pregabalin (Lyrica) and gabapentin (Neurontin). These medications are typically very effective in treating nerve pain, but they may also cause undesired side effects, such as: lethargy.
What is the sciatic nerve and why does it hurt? ›
Sciatica happens when irritation, inflammation, pinching or compression affect one or more nerves that run down your lower back and into your legs. It's usually not a serious or dangerous condition, and most people with sciatica get better on their own with time and self-care treatments.
