Everything You Need To Know About Sciatica

Path of the sciatic nerve

The sciatic nerve, whose irritation causes sciatica pain, originates from the lumbar vertebrae L4 and L5 and the sacral vertebra S1. The sciatic nerve then runs down each leg to the foot. The condition is referred to as sciatic neuralgia, sciatalgia, or more commonly sciatica when the nerve becomes inflamed. Several causes can lead to sciatica:

• a herniated disc compressing the nerve (the most common cause of sciatica, known as sciatica caused by a herniated disc)
• damage to the sciatic nerve caused by trauma, shock or an accident
• vertebral compression
• osteoarthritis
• a spinal disorder

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica most often causes lower back pain and pain at the back of the leg, sometimes radiating all the way down to the foot. Depending on which root of the sciatic nerve is affected, the area of pain may vary slightly.

The Ergoccyx cushion for sciatica relief

To help relieve sciatica pain, we designed the Ergoccyx seat cushion. This cushion works in several ways:

• Opens the pelvis: thicker at the back than at the front, it helps open the pelvis and straighten the back into a more natural curve. This helps prevent compression of the intervertebral discs and abdominal pressure that can affect the nerves running along the spine, including the sciatic nerve.
• Relieves pressure on the coccyx and sacrum: specially shaped foam prevents pressure on the coccyx and sacrum when sitting.
• Reduces pressure: High Resilience foam combined with High Viscosity fluid helps distribute pressure when sitting and reduces tingling and numbness in the buttocks.
• Absorbs shocks and vibrations: the Vehicle and Machinery versions help reduce vibrations and shocks experienced when driving cars, trucks, buses, construction equipment or forklifts. Vibrations and shocks while driving are known aggravating factors for people suffering from conditions such as sciatica.