Ouch! Is this sciatica pain I'm feeling?

Are you feeling pain in your leg and just now sure what it is? You're not alone. Sciatica pain affects up to 40% of American adults. We want to help you identify your pain so that you can find the best way to treat it and get back to living your best life?

Here are some common symptoms for you to compare you pain with to see if you are suffering from sciatica nerve pain.

Pain in the lower back can also be one of the first things people notice. Some describe it as tingling throughout the area. 

Pain in the leg or back of the thigh is also a really common sign of sciatica. It can often feel like a sharp pain that gets worse with movement, but it can also be a throbbing ache that comes and goes.

Hip pain can be an indication as well. It's usually caused by inflammation around the sciatic nerve. 

In addition to pain, if the sciatic nerve is compressed, the muscles it serves may become weak. It may be hard to bend your knee, bring your thighs together (adduction), and point your foot and/or toes upward or downward.

If you are experiencing any of these for a prolonged period of time you should consult a doctor. Once you are given the diagnosis there are many at home treatments you can use to deal with the pain.

Applying ice and heat pack along with over the counter pain medication is a quick and easy way to immediately relieve your pain.

Using a pelvic support belt like the EverRelief Sacroiliac Support Belt can help you do the usual daily tasks that can be excruciating when you have sciatica pain. The primary belt stabilizes your hips and the secondary belt will give you the support and help with the inflammation you may be feeling.

Stretching or yoga can encourage tight muscles to loosen up. Promoting flexibility through stretching can ease sciatica by also improving lower back support and improving core strength. This way, less pressure is placed on the backs of the legs where the sciatic nerve resides.

So many people experience sciatica pain at some point in their lifetimes, so don't worry help is out there for you. Let us know if you have a technique that has helped you deal with any sciatica pain you've experienced.