Symptoms Of Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back. It goes down through the buttock, then its branches to extend down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot. Symptoms of sciatica may include: low back pain, numbness/tingling in the legs/feet, burning/shooting pain in the legs, muscle spasms, loss of normal range of motion, pain in the rear (worse with sitting), hip pain, and more. There are a number reasons why someone may experience sciatica, some of them include (but are not limited to): disc herniations, subluxations, spinal degeneration, spondlyolisthesis, pinched nerve, arthritis, and injury.
01
Back/Neck Pain
Low back pain is commonly coupled with Sciatica. Due to the sciatic nerve being formed by the lower back nerves, a problem in that area is almost always going to accompany pain in the region as well; the body’s fire alarm going off.
02
Muscle Spasms
Sciatica is a result of sciatic nerve being pinched. When our nerves get pinched, our body recognizes the problem and responds cramping the muscles around the area to ‘protect’ from further damage. If left alone, chronic muscle spasms can cause degeneration to the spine and further worsen the problem.
03
Leg Pain
The nerves from our spine exit and supply our legs/feet (from the lower back). Therefore, a pinched sciatic nerve in the spine can cause sharp/shooting pain to travel into the legs and feet. Sometimes, the pain can also be accompanied by numbness/tingling, a burning sensation, and muscle weakness in the lower extremities.
How to know if you have a Sciatica
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can also be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis), bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints) caused by arthritis, or nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury. Sciatica can cause an array of symptoms and affect various daily tasks: getting up from a seated position, bending over, laying down on back, mopping, driving, standing/sitting for more than 10min, exercsing, and more.
Treatment options for Sciatica
There are a wide variety of treatment options when it comes to dealing with pinched nerves. If you think you have a pinched nerve and have not improved, we can help.
Nothing
Many patients suffer with pinched nerves without relief for months or even years. Pinched nerves usually don’t improve without proper treatment.
Spinal decompression/traction
Spinal decompression works by reducing pressure within the discs allowing your nerves to heal. This is best when combined with spinal manipulation.
Spinal surgery
Surgery is the last resort for patients suffering from pinched nerves. Only a small percentage of the population need to undergo surgery. The purpose of surgery is to save the pinched nerve from permanent damage or relieve unrelenting severe pain.
Spinal manipulation
Injections primarily treat the symptoms related to pinched nerves. Injections can be combined with other conservative treatments such as manipulation and decompression.
Spinal injections
Injections primarily treat the symptoms or nerve pain related to disc herniations. Injections can be combined with other conservative treatments such as manipulation and decompression.
