What is sciatica?
Sciatica and sciatic pain are terms used to describe irritation and pain coming from the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is actually the largest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve is the combination of a number of smaller nerves that come from the lumbar spine and come together to form one nerve. The compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve or one of the nerves that are part of the sciatic uncle is termed” sciatica”.
What does sciatic pain feel like?
When the sciatic nerve is being compressed specific symptoms in the low back and leg area will show up. You can experience pain, numbness, tingling and/or weakness in the leg. Depending on your symptoms location and type of pain we can more closely determine which portion of the sciatic nerve is being affected. True sciatic pain will more commonly have a presentation that will irritate you down past the knee into the lower leg or the foot. The most common reason for sciatic type pain is compression of the nerve root as it is exiting the spine by soft tissue or by a spinal disc that has bulged or herniated.
Chiropractic therapy can help sciatica
Chiropractors are well trained to treat patients are suffering from sciatica. Our evaluations focus on neurological and orthopedic tests that help us to determine the exact cause of the nerve irritation. Chiropractic training in therapies to relieve stress on the spinal column and surrounding soft tissue put chiropractors in a great position to give excellent, comfortable treatment options for people suffering with sciatica. A recent randomized controlled trial provided evidence supporting the safety and effectiveness of chiropractic treatment of sciatica. This study looked at 102 patients with moderate to severe radiating pain into one leg and MRI evidence of disc protrusion. 65% of the chiropractic patients improved whereas only 20% of the placebo group expressed a decrease in pain.
Don’t let nerve pain go too long!
If you suffer from sciatica and sciatic type pains you should always seek treatment from a professional. Although most recover from sciatica, is very serious and can potentially lead to permanent nerve damage in the leg. The symptoms of sciatica include:
- numbness, tingling, altered sensation in any portion of the leg
- weakness
- also bowel, bladder
- intense pain
if you experience any of these above symptoms it is a sign that you may have a serious nerve compression. See care immediately.
