Have you been experiencing pain on one side of your body that travels down from your lower back? If so, it’s possible and indeed likely that you are suffering from a condition known as Sciatica. This condition is more common than most people realise and it can have a significant impact on your quality of life if left untreated.
What Is Sciatica?
The term refers to pain that will travel along the path of the Sciatic nerve. This nerve goes from your lower back, through your hips and across your buttocks towards each leg. As already mentioned, it will usually only impact one side of the body. However, on rare occasions, it can affect both sides.
What Causes Sciatica?
The pain will typically start to develop when a herniated disc presses on the nerve root. This narrows the space and impacts the nerve itself, compressing it. When this happens pain and inflammation are both common. An individual may also suffer numbness and weakness in the affected leg. The Sciatic nerve can also be trapped by the Piriformis muscle, through which the nerve passes in a percentage of people.
It’s worth noting that the pain associated with sciatica can be quite severe. While the pain can resolve over several weeks without treatment, it’s also possible for more complications to develop. This could include chronic pain that starts later, bowel weakness, or changes to bladder control.
Common Symptoms
There are a variety of symptoms that can develop if you are suffering from sciatica. The main sign is the pain traveling from your back to your legs, but it’s possible to feel pain and discomfort anywhere along the pathway or the nerve.
It’s also possible for the pain to be sharp and it may seem like an electric shock or jolt. The pain may feel worse when you sneeze or cough. You may also find that sitting for long periods is going to make symptoms a great deal worse. As mentioned many people will also experience numbness however this is not always apparent.
Treatments
If you speak to a chiropractor about treatment for sciatica, they will be able to offer a range of possibilities. The first thing to be aware of is that an accurate diagnosis will be essential. Once this has been determined, a chiropractic doctor may provide spinal manipulation. This is to ensure the free movement of the spine and help ensure vertebral bodies are realigned correctly. Sciatica usually requires a series of adjustments.
Get In Touch
If you believe you are suffering from sciatica, make sure that you book an appointment for our services today. A friendly member of our team will ensure that you are able to get the treatment you require immediately with a focus on offering a personalised level of support.