SCIATICA

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and when compressed can cause pain radiating down the leg. Nearly 40% of people will experience sciatica at some point. The good news is, a wellness chiropractor near you can provide effective treatments to help alleviate the pain and dysfunction associated with sciatica. Due to the nerve's length and distribution, symptoms can occur anywhere from the low back to the foot and leg.

SYMPTOMS

Sciatica refers to pain that originates in the lower back and travels down the sciatic nerve, often affecting the buttocks, legs, and feet. Symptoms can vary in intensity from mild to severe and may include:

  • Sharp or burning pain radiating from the lower back into the leg and sometimes into the foot.

  • Numbness or reduced sensation along the nerve’s pathway.

  • Tingling or "pins and needles" sensations in the buttock, leg, or foot.

  • Muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot.

  • A feeling of an "electric shock" running down the leg.

In severe cases, such as cauda equina syndrome, sciatica can cause significant changes in bowel or bladder function, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate attention.

CAUSES

Ninety percent of sciatica cases are caused by a herniated disc compressing a nerve, but other causes include:

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Piriformis syndrome

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Cauda equina syndrome

  • Spondylolisthesis

  • Tumors, infection, or trauma in the spine

RISK FACTORS

  • Obesity

  • Repetitive forward bending

  • Pregnancy 

  • Trauma 

  • Smoking

  • Sedentary lifestyle

  • Athletic or occupational injuries

DIAGNOSIS

We can usually identify sciatica or a potential disc herniation through a physical exam and history. If needed, we may order diagnostic imaging like an x-ray, MRI, or nerve conduction test to pinpoint the affected areas of the lumbar spine.

TREATMENT

At Horizon Joint and Wellness, we take a multidisciplinary approach to sciatica treatment, offering: