A pinched sciatic nerve generally refers to a compression at the nerve root - where it protrudes from the spine. These choices are extremely limited, however, as there are many other ways to treat sciatica without drugs or surgery, as both of these options can have some very serious side-effects. At that point, the space allotted for the nerve to emerge from the spine can be crowded by several different causes, causing a pinching of the nerve at that point. Dealing With a Pinched Sciatic Nerve The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, measuring 3/4 of an inch in diameter, and extending from the base of the spine all the way down each leg to the foot. Natural solutions exist, and should always be consulted before resorting to drugs. Many sciatica sufferers who go to a medical doctor seeking help are given the choice of drugs or surgery. Many doctors will say that a herniated disk is the most com cause of a pinched sciatic nerve, but others differ to the point of saying that it's most often psycho-somatic.

Due to its size, a pinched sciatic nerve can be extremely painful.