Sciatica is a term that describes the symptoms of leg pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that originate in the lower back and travel through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of each leg. Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It’s a description of a set of symptoms that run along the sciatic nerve. The pain that is associated with sciatica can be severe, but most cases resolve with conservative treatments in a few weeks.
Sciatica commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis) compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg. Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with non-operative treatments in a few weeks. People who have severe sciatica that’s associated with significant leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might be candidates for surgery.
Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. You might feel the discomfort almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it’s especially likely to follow a path from your low back to your buttock and the back of your thigh and calf.
Symptoms and Diagnosis of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms include lower back pain, pain in the rear or leg that is worse when sitting, hip pain, burning or tingling down the leg, weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot, a constant pain on one side of the rear, and a shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up.
Diagnosis of sciatica is made by taking a complete patient history alone. Physical examination may confirm the diagnosis or may indicate systemic disease. Tests such as X-rays, MRIs or CT scans are usually ordered in cases when the diagnosis is not clear, severe symptoms are present, or the patient fails to respond to conservative treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments for Sciatica
Once the symptoms of sciatica are manifested, conservative treatment is almost always the first course of action. This may involve cold packs and/or hot packs, stretching, and most importantly – remaining active. While it may seem counterintuitive, exercise is usually better for relieving sciatic pain than bed rest.
Chiropractic care can be an effective approach for managing sciatica. Chiropractors employ non-invasive techniques to address the underlying causes of sciatica, such as spinal misalignments or herniated discs. Through manual adjustments and spinal manipulations, chiropractors can help alleviate pressure on the affected nerve, reducing inflammation and pain.
Additionally, chiropractors may recommend complementary therapies like exercises, stretches, or lifestyle modifications to support long-term relief and prevent future episodes.
When to Seek Professional Help for Sciatica
In most cases, sciatica can be treated effectively with medication, chiropractic treatment, and various self-care techniques. But sometimes, these methods don’t work. If your pain isn’t improving after several weeks, or if your pain is severe, it may be time to consult with a medical specialist.
Manage Your Sciatica Pain Today
Sciatica is a condition that can cause significant discomfort due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. However, the good news is that there are many treatment options available that can help to alleviate this discomfort and promote a healthy, pain-free life.
The key to managing sciatica is understanding the underlying cause and implementing the appropriate treatment for that cause. In most cases, this will involve a combination of medication, physical therapy, and self-care techniques. In more severe cases, surgery may be required. Regardless of the treatment plan, maintaining a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and good posture can help to prevent future episodes of sciatica.
For more on how to manage sciatica pain, visit Core Chiropractic at our Topeka, Kansas, office. Call (785) 408-7150 to schedule an appointment today.
