Our body has many nerves and one of them is Siatic Nerve, which is also known as ischiadic nerve or ischiatic nerve. It is the largest and longest single nerve in our body.

The Anatomy of the Siatic nerve is not very complex. It is a combination of 5 nerves: 4th and 5th lumbar nerve (L4, L5), & 1st, 2nd and 3rd sacral nerve (S1, S2, S3) which join together on the frontal surface of piriformis muscle and form one large nerve- sciatic nerve. It originates from lumbar and sacral plexus (L4- S3) & extends to the tibial and common fibular nerve. It gives off 2 branches: articular branch that supplies the hip joint & muscular branch that supplies the tibial and common fibular nerve. It innervates the skin on the posterior area of thigh, gluteal region and the entire leg except its medial aspect.

Pain, weakness or numbness caused by the compression or irritation of siatic nerve is termed as Siatica. Hence it is a symptom indicating another medical problem and not a condition in itself. Common causes of siatica are slipped disk, piriformis syndrome, pelvis injury or fracture and tumors. Initially the pain may be dull ache or a burning sensation but later at its severe stages the person becomes unable to move.

Generally, the pain is unilateral occurring on either side. Since it is not a condition in itself so, treatment of the underlying cause is required. Symptomatic treatment includes application of ice for the first 48 to 72 hours after which it is replaced by use of heat. A pain killer like ibuprofen is recommended to reduce inflammation and relief pain. Make sure to avoid complete bed rest rather go for less work for a couple of days and later continue the usual day to day activities & avoid lifting heavy weights or twisting your back cause this may exaggerate the pain. Since Siatic Nerve runs under uterus while going down in legs, hence the pressure to the nerve during development of baby may be the possible cause of siatica during Pregnancy.

The pain is relieved on lying opposite to the side of pain as it may relieve the nerve and avoiding long term standing. Moreover, application of ice or heat packs and the use of analgesics may relief the pain but one should be cautious while taking any medicine during pregnancy as it may have a teratogenic effect. Thus, always talk to your doctor before taking any kind of medicine.