Understanding what causes sciatica is the first step in finding sciatic nerve pain relief. As most doctors and many patient clinic patients already know, sciatica means leg pain. Sufferers report symptoms ranging from minor leg cramps to shooting, excruciating that make sitting or standing painful.
The causes of sciatica are complex. Typically, this painful condition is caused by a herniated or slipped disc that affects a nerve root. Other causes include spinal stenosis and piriformis syndrome, both of which are rarer but especially painful.
Understanding sciatica is important, but achieving sciatic nerve pain relief is what patients ultimately need. Ibuprofen or aspirin and ice are both common treatments.