Causes Of Sciatica

Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched, irritated, or inflamed. This nerve runs down the back of the leg, causing sharp, often debilitating pain.

The pain typically shoots from the lower back down the back of the leg, and can be triggered by sitting, standing, coughing, sneezing, or laughing. Many people see doctors, take pain medications, and visit chiropractors — yet the pain persists. Activities become limited, sometimes affecting your ability to work. Even exercises and stretches bring only temporary relief.

• Right leg: You feel pushed or forced to go somewhere or do something against your will. Occasionally, a sexual conflict may be at the root.
• Left leg: You are driven to accomplish something, but something or someone is blocking your path. This often produces feelings of anger or rage.

Questions worth asking yourself: Are your goals being blocked? Are burdens weighing on you? Are you looking for reasons to avoid a particular task or responsibility?

Julie, aged 26, suffered from sciatic nerve pain. When asked about unfulfilled goals, she described her dream of joining the Peace Corps and working in a developing country. Her mother feared for her safety; her father worried about unwanted male attention. Julie was torn between her dream and her parents' concerns. After working through these conflicts, her pain improved dramatically. She eventually went to Honduras, returned after several years enriched by the experience — and the sciatica never came back.

Sharon wanted to get married, but her live-in boyfriend of several years — with whom she had three children — was reluctant. She had sciatica in her left leg. By working through her frustration and the underlying conflict, she experienced immediate relief. Eighteen months later, she and her boyfriend married.

If you have persistent sciatica, it is worth exploring the emotional dimension. Inner Influencing® can help identify and resolve the root conflict driving the condition.