I came across some a study, called the ‘Sciatica Bothersomeness Index’1, that evaluates how patients suffering from sciatica subjectively rate the ‘bothersomeness’ of various symptoms associated with the condition.

 My first thought was whether ‘bothersomeness’ is a real word. It is not to be found in any dictionary. My spell checker rejects it. Would it be acceptable to plunk that down on the Scrabble board?

Anyhow, sciatica is definitely not a joking matter. At any given point in time somewhere between 2 to 5% of the population suffers from the condition. It can be experienced as a single, brief episode, or as reoccurring incidents at varying intervals or a permanent affliction lasting months or years.