Sciatica isn't a disease on its own. Instead, it's a way to describe the symptoms caused by an underlying problem affecting the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the largest in your body. It runs from your lower spine, through your hip, and down each leg. Understanding these key sciatica symptoms can help you know if it's time to talk to a doctor.
Tendonitis happens when the tough, rope-like tissues connecting muscles to bones become inflamed or irritated. These tendons act as your body's pulleys, allowing smooth joint movement. When they get swollen or damaged from overuse, even simple movements become painful.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body. When it becomes irritated or compressed, it can cause intense pain, numbness, and weakness, a condition known as sciatica.
Shoulder muscle pain affects millions of people worldwide, making it one of the most frequent complaints in doctors' offices and physical therapy clinics.
Hip pain can be tricky because it's not always coming from where you think it is. As Dr. Lauren Elson from Harvard Medical School notes, what feels like bursitis on the outer hip often isn't.
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Your hip is the body's central hub, connecting your upper body to your legs and handling enormous force. When something goes wrong, it can throw off your entire movement pattern.
When muscle pain strikes, you've got options. Walk down any pharmacy aisle and you'll find shelves lined with creams, balms, ointments, patches, and gels - all promising to ease your discomfort. But here's the thing: not all topical pain relievers are created equal.
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Creams tend to be thicker and white, with that classic moisturizer feel. They're made from a mix of oil and water, which means they can leave a slight residue on your skin. Balms and ointments are the heavy hitters - oil-based, thick, and often greasy. They create a protective barrier that can help with deep penetration, but good luck wearing your favorite shirt afterward. Patches offer steady medication release over hours, but they're bulky and don't work well on curved areas like your shoulder or knee.
If you're dealing with the sharp, stabbing heel pain of plantar fasciitis, finding the right pair of plantar fasciitis shoes can make a huge difference. This common condition affects about 1 in 10 people, but supportive footwear is a big part of recovery.
Sciatic nerve pain is a sharp, shooting discomfort that travels from your lower back down your leg, affecting up to 40% of people in their lifetime. This common issue occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest in your body, becomes compressed or irritated, often due to a herniated disc. It's most common between ages 30-50.
