Sciatica is simply a pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, often into the foot and toes. It is caused by an inflammation of the sciatic nerve induced by a compression.
Some people suffering from sciatica also may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, usually on one side of the body. The type and level of pain a person experiences hinges on the site of the nerve compression.
In certain instances the pain might be very mild, while in others it could be debilitating and intense. Although the majority of people will recover from an episode of sciatica within a few weeks, the pain can sometime worsen in time or persist for much longer. It all depends on the underlying cause.
Sciatica and also Nerve Damage.
Though it is rare, in some instances sciatica can produce irreversible nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that creates the sciatica pain usually is reversible.
Symptoms of a more critical medical problem include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Where Exactly the Sciatic Nerve is Found:
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They stretch out from the lower back completely down to the feet.
Sciatic nerves leave the spine between two vertebrae in the lower back and travel behind the hip joint down the buttocks and along the back of each leg into the feet.
Sciatica is triggered by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Generally, a herniated disc applies pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Many times, people experiencing sciatica have leg pain, which makes them incorrectly think that the sciatica is due to some kind of problem within the leg.
Other causes of sciatica can include spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis, trauma, spinal stenosis, or sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Anybody Can Have Sciatica.
Most people believe that sciatica is something that only effects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. And while it’s correct that sedentary people are more susceptible to get sciatica, it in fact can affect active people as well, especially if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights routinely.
Sciatica will typically resolve itself within a few weeks. Therapy options include exercise, physical therapy. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized therapy plans are advised.
Sciatica Therapy Options.
Another more natural and less invasive sciatica treatment option is , non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By gradually decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
Contact us today for your free consultation if you or somebody you know is struggling with sciatica. Our medical practitioners can tell you if gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
Call Schaumburg Disc Center at (847) 534-0290 to Schedule a Complimentary Consultation!