The condition known as sciatica refers to enduring pain in the sciatic nerve — a nerve that goes from the lower back, down to the buttocks, and into the lower legs. It’s the longest nerve in the whole body, traversing a wide distance from the lower back to the lower legs. This important nerve causes us to have feeling in our legs and feet by adjusting the muscles in the lower legs.

Sciatica, a form of lower-back and leg pain, affects many people, though they often don’t understand it. Instead of grouping all nerve pain into a general diagnosis of sciatica, in actuality it refers to a set of particular symptoms. Those who are most susceptible to reporting sciatica symptoms tend to be between 30 to 50 years old. It is most often associated with progressive damage, the typical “wear and tear” to the lower spine structure. Sciatica is usually not the result of an injury.

What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

Pain along the pathway of the sciatic nerve — reaching from the lower back to the lower part of a leg — is the most often reported symptom. Even so, there is a great range of symptoms related to sciatica; it all depends on the location of the affected sciatic nerve. The pain can be felt in a number of ways: a burning feeling, tingling sensation, weak feeling in the muscles, a dull ache, or numbness. Usually, only one side of the body is affected. A prickly feeling, usually in the foot, is another symptom that people often report.

The discomfort and pain associated with sciatica often starts slowly, and increases over time. It is made worse by flu-related symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, as well as after sudden movements such as turning and bending after sitting for extended periods.

The Diagnosis of Sciatica

Your medical profile must be thoroughly evaluated by a doctor in order to determine if you have sciatica. It begins with a review of your medical history. Your doctor of chiropractic proceeds to ask for a physical and neurological exam, exams in which the focus is on your legs and spine. Give an accurate description of the pain, from when it began to how bad it can get to how to alleviate it. Performing basic activities in front of your chiropractor to test your reflexes, muscle strength and sensory response, might also be required. Among other simple activities, your doctor may wish to see you alternately raise each leg up while you are lying flat on an exam table.

In certain cases, diagnostic imaging in the form of a MRI, X-ray, and/or CT scan may be recommended. These are useful methods for determining whether there is a more serious condition at play (infections and tumors, for instance). If a patient shows no signs of improvement or shows symptoms that are more intense, these tests can be useful in the process of diagnosis.

Sciatica Treatment Options

Most sciatica patients who undergo regular, conservative care are responsive to treatment. Bearing in mind that sciatica is symptomatic, the treatment suggested will vary — according to the root cause of one’s condition.
The choice of chiropractic care provides non-surgical, drug-free treatment. Chiropractors concern themselves with the health of the spine. They repair the area and help to ease inflammation and pain, hoping to keep everything functioning normally. Various causes of sciatica dictate the use of various treatments. Some methods rely on various treatment methods, such as ice/heat therapy, rehabilitative exercises, and spinal adjustments — to name a few.

How to Prevent Sciatica

Taking care of your back and protecting your spine will often keep the symptoms of sciatica from appearing. These can help:

• Regular exercise
• Not smoking
• Maintain good posture
• Healthy weight and diet
• Attention to body mechanics when lifting weight
• Keeping active

As previously stated, sciatica is related to symptoms along the sciatic nerve. To determine what treatment options are best for you, you will experience an evaluation of your symptoms, medical profile, and lifestyle. For more information on sciatica care and treatment approaches, contact us.

To learn more about how we treat sciatica, visit our How We Help page.