When the sciatic nerve becomes inflamed, runners typically experience severe pain and tenderness from the buttocks down to the lower leg. Sciatica symptoms in runners are common because running may trigger muscle spasms in the back and injury to the muscles around the hip joints. Identifying the symptoms of this nerve condition can prevent further injury and ensure that the runner does not aggravate the sciatic nerve during training.
Pain
Runners may experience severe pain in the lower back, legs, buttocks and in their feet because of sciatica. Pain can be traced to a bulging lumbar disk, inflamed vertebrae and a herniated disk. The extent of pain can be moderate to severe, and in many cases can elicit fear that prevents the runner from performing at peak performance. Chronic pain may be linked to psychosomatic reasons, according to the Sciatica Pain website.
Numbness
The piriformis muscle is located in the buttocks and hip area, directly on top of the sciatic nerve. When this muscle begins to tighten, it pushes down on the sciatic nerve that, in turn, causes numbness and pain. Sciatica Pain Treatment indicates that runners are particularly at risk for tightening of the piriformis muscle because of overuse of the buttocks and muscles around the hips.
Muscle Weakness
Injuries to the feet, legs and hip muscles may be linked to sciatica and cause muscle weakness. Weakness may also be the result of inflammation from a traumatic injury that has not fully healed. When runners have injured their back or the vertebrae have become inflamed, they may experience muscle weakness, tingling and numbness that can last for several hours, days or even weeks.
Tingling
Pinched nerves in the back or leg muscles can cause a tingling sensation. Since many runners are vulnerable to pinched nerves from overtraining and intensive exercise, they may be at risk for developing this symptom of sciatica. A compressed nerve root in the spine may also cause tingling. Pinched nerves can cause chronic tingling that does not subside with anti-inflammatory pills or painkillers.
Lower Back Pain
Ariana Greer, a medical writer for Spine Universe, points out that a common cause of sciatica is a herniated disk. When the spinal disks become thin or weak because of age, or when they are under pressure from excessive stress such as heavy lifting or vigorous activity, they can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause lower back pain. Runners who have been exercising too intensely, lifting weights that are too heavy for their fitness level or engaging in other activities that have put too much pressure on the spinal disks may experience lower back pain because of a herniated disk.
