Leg or Low Back pain… Is it your sciatic nerve?

My dad’s back has been bothering him. I figured out that the problem isn’t his sciatic nerve by doing this easy test.

1. Sit on the edge of your bed.
2. Press the back of your head so that your chin is pressed against your chest
3. Slouch forward.
4. Pick one leg. Move your ankle on that leg so the top of your foot moves closer to your shin. Keep your hands behind your head.
5. Straighten the leg the leg you chose in the previous step.
6. Repeat this process for the other leg.

If your pain symptoms occur while your leg is straightened, then there is a good chance you are having sciatic nerve troubles. There may be some pain with the stretch of leg muscles or mid back, but it will be different than the pain you are regularly experiencing. This is called the Sitting Root Test, and the idea behind it is to stretch the sciatic nerve in attempt to reproduce the pain. Now you know may know what the problem is so how can you fix it?

Many nerve problems and body aches can be corrected by exercise and practicing good posture. With these the body will often correct its problems. Another thing to consider is taking note of your daily habits and activities. Look at how long you sit, in what position you sit, how long you stand, what position you stand, and things like that. You may be able to figure out why you are having this pain and fix the root of the problem.

What is the sciatic nerve?

A nerve is the way your brain tells your muscles to relax or contract. The sciatic nerve arises from the from the low back and sacral regions (L4 to S3), but doesn’t actually become the sciatic nerve until all the roots join in front of the piriformis muscle and exit the pelvic area through the greater sciatic foramen. From there it divides into the common fibular nerve and the tibial nerve to so it can transmit nerve impulses to muscles on the back of the thigh, lower leg, and foot.