A Herniated Disc- A Leading Cause Of Sciatic Nerve Pain

If you have been reading these articles on sciatic nerve pain you will know that one of the most frequent underlying reasons for it occurring is because of a herniated disc.

What is a herniated disc?

A herniated disc (also called a  ’bulging disc’ or ‘slipped disc’) occurs when a tear in the outer ring of an intervertabral disc causes a soft nucleus to slip put beyond the outer rings. This will not always cause sciatic nerve pain, but it can often happen when the bulging disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. The main cause of a herniated disc is age. As we get older these discs become more susceptible to tearing and damage. In many cases a simple lifting of an object can cause a slipped disc to occur.

Why can a herniated disc cause Sciatica?

Sciatica is not actually a condition, it is a symptom which is caused by an underlying medical condition. Sciatica refers to sciatic nerve pain on and around the sciatic nerve which goes from the lower back, through the buttocks into the leg. The reason it can be caused by a bulging disc is the pressure or pinching that the disc can do to the nerve.

The pain can be deep or shallow, constant or intermittent, sharp or dull. In most people it is most painful in the leg and thus many treatments for it concentrate effort in taking pain away from that region. Luckily, sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc is not often too serious and most treatments rely on a combination of medication and conditioning, surgery is always the last option.

How can a herniated disc be avoided?

If you have already suffered from a herniated disc then you will be taught how to avoid one in the future. A herniated disc which causes sciatic pain can really be painful and thus you should try your best to avoid it again. Here are some exercises which have been shown to help guard against it happening.