Sciatica is a medical term that is thrown around quite often in the healthcare field and by patients alike, but it is widely underdiagnosed and overdiagnosed ironically enough. Although sciatica is common, it may be confused or misdiagnosed by patients and doctors alike for other similar conditions.
Let us clear up any misconceptions and understand what sciatica or sciatic nerve pain is for starters. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and originates in the lumbar spine or lower back. It is comprised of 2 nerves, the L4 and L5 nerve roots which exit the spine and join together in the buttock to form the sciatic nerve collectively. The sciatic nerve then runs downward along the side and back of the leg all the way down into the foot. As the sciatic nerve exits the lumbar spine in the lower back, it supplies and controls most of the legs structures as it winds its way through many anatomical structures such as bones, joints, muscles and ligaments. The sciatic nerve also contributes to controlling our bowel, urinary bladder, sexual organs and distal digestive tract, all of which have extreme importance and can be negatively affected if the sciatic nerve is compromised, pinched or irritated. If this nerve becomes compromised, pinched, irritated or injured and causes pain or numbness and tingling in the lower back, buttock or radiating down the leg, than it may be classified as sciatica or sciatic nerve pain! Sciatica can also cause muscle weakness in the leg, frequent urination, bowel trouble, sexual dysfunction, gait dysfunction, difficulty standing or inability to sit comfortably. Many experts estimate that up to 40 percent of people will experience sciatica at least once in their lifetime!
So, what are some of the more common signs and symptoms associated with sciatica that patients may experience? Here’s a list of some common indicators:
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- Lower back pain– this can be sharp, stabbing, burning or pressure irritation.
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- Buttock pain– difficulty sitting, pressure on affected side produces increased discomfort.
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- Groin pain– hard to bend or pain in the front upper thigh.
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- Leg pain– shooting pain, numbness or tingling downward.
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- Hip pain– especially in lieu of local pathology, could cause loss of range of motion or limping.
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- Knee pain– especially on the backside or deep in the joint.
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- Foot drop– due to impingement and muscle weakness.
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- Insomnia– difficulty sleeping, restlessness, tossing and turning, restless leg syndrome.
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- Limp/Altered gait– due to pain or muscle weakness.
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- Shooting pain– in the lower back, buttock or leg, especially worsened by sudden movements or change of position due to pinching of the nerve.
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- Tingling– loss of sensation or hypersensitivity (increased feeling/sensation) of pins and needles.
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- Numbness– “dead sensation”- loss of feeling or strange sensation of imprecise buzzing.
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- Burning– sensation felt along course of the nerve in muscle or skin.
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- Weakness– loss of strength or movement in thigh, leg or foot (foot drop).
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- Swelling– usually coincides and not directly caused by sciatica but due to the pressure on the nerve and irritation.
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- Sitting difficulty– puts increased pressure on the lower back and sciatic nerve.
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- Standing difficulty– due to pain and weakness, especially after long periods, increased pressure/pain.
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- Falling/Balance loss– due to pain or weakness or lack of normal gait, tripping.
- Compensation– change in posture or gait in relation to movement as a result of felt pain.
There are many risk factors that can contribute to or increase your odds of experiencing sciatic nerve pain (sciatica). The following is a list of the more common contributing factors:
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- Age– the older we get, the more our bones, joints and connective tissue degenerates and breaks down, leading to arthritis.
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- Injury– slip and falls, minor or major traumas, accidents, strain/sprains.
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- Bad Posture– slouching, slumping or abnormal muscle and joint mechanics can influence or cause sciatica.
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- Obesity/Overweight– excess body mass and fat increases tension, stress and pressure on the vertebral spinal discs and joints.
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- Sedentary lifestyle– inactivity not only leads to weight gain, but contributes to tight muscles and ligaments.
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- Inflexibility– loss of range of motion can cause or accelerate joint degeneration as well as contribute to tight muscles.
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- Profession– jobs that involve bending, lifting or twisting for extended periods or office/desk jobs where prolonged sitting is inevitable as well as jobs that entail standing for extended lengths, especially on hard surfaces.
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- Pregnancy– the body goes through many changes, especially in the lower back lumbar spine and pelvic girdle regions, hormones also affect muscles and ligaments and rapid postural-mechanical changes occur.
- Diabetes– can cause peripheral neuropathy or nerve damage.
If you experience any of the signs, symptoms or indicators listed above, than you may be suffering from sciatic nerve pain. Sciatica typically produces pain down the backside of the leg and can be of sudden onset, triggered by lifting, bending or twisting motions. Other more common medical conditions can cause sciatica such as vertebral spinal bulging or herniated discs, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, tumors, piriformis syndrome, or vertebral subluxations to name but a few. Gradual onset of symptoms can occur as well, however, pain, weakness or numbness is usually one sided but in certain cases can occur bilaterally (both legs).
So, what can you do to help prevent sciatic nerve pain from occurring or treat sciatica once it has afflicted you? Luckily, there are some proven treatment options to alleviate sciatic nerve pain as well as measures that can be taken to reduce your risk of ever even experiencing sciatica.
Here are some proven, beneficial treatment options:
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- Chiropractic care– non invasive adjustment procedures, decompression therapy, muscle and ligamentous release techniques, cold laser application, electro muscular stimulation, ultrasound therapy and kinesio taping procedures are just a few of the treatment options offered in our office that have successful outcomes.
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- Exercise– keeping the lower back and core abdominal muscles strong and fit will help prevent sciatica or sciatic nerve related conditions from occurring.
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- Flexibility– proper stretching and full range of motion of muscles and joints will help prevent sciatica and speed up recovery.
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- Posture– balanced alignment of the head, neck, shoulders, upper back, torso, lower back, hips, knees, ankles and feet will surely give you optimal chances of never experiencing sciatica.
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- Body Mechanics– practice proper techniques when lifting, get a good supportive chair for sitting, stand on comfortable cushioned surfaces or a mat, and set up a body friendly workplace station with proper ergonomics.
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- Shoes– get fitted for the appropriate sizing of length and width, should have a generous cushioned sole, offer good support around ankle and heel, feel comfortable and balanced as well as good arch support.
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- Mattress and Pillow– should be of good quality and supportive, firm but not so hard that it’s uncomfortable or causes pressure point irritation.
- Water– hydration is an absolute must for overall good health, but, your intervertebral discs, joints, muscles and ligaments require proper intake of water to remain flexible and pliable.
Chiropractors have been successfully treating sciatica and associated conditions which may be causing your sciatic nerve pain for decades without the use of addictive prescription drugs or risky surgery! Chiropractic care has an arsenal of pain-free, advanced treatment options for sciatic nerve pain sufferers. Our goal is to obtain optimal results in the very shortest amount of time because pain from sciatica can be debilitating as well as lead to other painful or chronic pain conditions.
