Sciatica is 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 caused by a compression.
Some people struggling with sciatica also may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, generally on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences depends upon the specific location of the nerve compression.
In certain cases the pain can be very mild, while in others it could be devastating and extreme. The majority of people will recover from an episode of sciatica within a few weeks, the pain can sometime worsen over time or persist for much longer. Everything is dependent on the underlying root cause.
Sciatica and also Nerve Destruction.
It is unusual, however in some instances sciatica can result in irreversible nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that creates the sciatica pain typically is reversible.
Symptoms of a more critical medical problem include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Specifically Where the Sciatic Nerve is Situated:
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They extend from the lower back all the way down to the feet.
Sciatic nerves exit 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 foot.
Sciatica is caused by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Generally, a herniated disk puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Commonly, people suffering from sciatica have leg pain, which makes them incorrectly think that the sciatica is due to some sort of problem within the leg.
Other sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, , trauma, spinal stenosis, or sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Anybody Can Have Sciatica.
People believe that sciatica is something that only effects people who have an inactive lifestyle. And while it’s right that sedentary people are more susceptible for sciatica, it in reality can affect active people also, especially if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights regularly.
In most cases, sciatica will resolve itself within a few weeks. Treatment options include exercise, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized treatment plans are advised.
Sciatica Therapy Solutions.
Another more natural and less invasive sciatica therapy option is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By lightly decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with sciatica. Our sciatica experts can tell you if gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
Contact Indianapolis Disc Center at (317) 554-0748 for a Free Consultation!
