Sciatica
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Symptoms
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.
The pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms.
Some people also have numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. You might have pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part.
What causes Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a herniated disc in your spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) on your vertebrae. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by a disease such as diabetes.
How can treatment help?
Depending on the cause of sciatica, the treatment plan will mainly involve chiropractic adjustments, manual physiotherapy and exercises, to help ease your symptoms. The treatments will align and reduce the pressure on your spine and discs, thereby relieving the symptoms. Stretching and strengthening muscles through exercises will help to prevent worsening of symptoms and aid recovery. Your chiropractor will determine if treatment is effective or refer when necessary.
The specifics of what are in your treatment plan are particular to your pain, level of activity, overall health, and what your chiropractor thinks is best. As with any treatment option, don't hesitate to ask questions about what chiropractic treatments are being recommended and why. You want to make sure you understand what will be done and how it can help relieve your pain. Chiropractic treatment is safe and effective for most patients.