Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, the longest, largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Sciatica most commonly occurs when a herniated disk, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine compresses part of the nerve. This often causes pain, inflammation, and often some numbness in the affected leg.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
The symptoms of sciatica are commonly felt along the path of the large sciatic nerve. Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following features:
- Pain. Sciatica pain is often described as shooting pain or a burning sensation in the lower back or buttock and radiates down your leg, thigh, and/or feet.
- Numbness. Sciatica pain is a common problem that can produce numbness, tingling, or weakness in the back of one’s leg.
- One-sided symptoms. Sciatica affects the leg, and it often results in a heavy feeling. Rarely both legs may be affected together
Posture-induced symptoms. Sciatica symptoms often feel worse while sitting, standing up, bending forward, twisting the spine, lying down, and/or when coughing. The symptoms may be relieved by applying a heating pad over the rear pelvic region or walking. While walking, shorten your stride and slow your walking pace to protect your sciatic nerve.
Find Relief From Your Sciatica Pain
Don’t stay stuck in your pain, if you are experiencing the pain of any kind that is keeping you from doing the things you love, check out our services.
If you have sciatica, it’s important that your symptoms are correctly diagnosed and treated by a medical professional as soon as possible. The vast majority of cases respond well to non-invasive treatments, with our new approach of combined medical care, physical rehabilitation, nutrition, and chiropractic care developed by our healthcare professionals. We care about helping you find relief, for more information contact us today for a free phone consultation. We can help you find the lasting relief you deserve.