Sciatica

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica is a painful condition caused by pressure on your sciatic nerve, which is a large nerve that extends from your lower back and down through your buttocks and legs. 

Some of the symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pain in your hip or lower back
• Numbness and weakness in your lower extremities
• Difficulty moving your foot or leg
• A shooting pain from your back down through your buttocks
• Difficulty standing up without pain
• A tingling or burning sensation radiating down your leg

Most people only experience sciatica on one side of their body. The severity of the pain varies from person to person, from mild to debilitating. 

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica pain happens when your sciatic nerve or the nerve roots of your lower back become irritated, which can be due to a back injury or result from a number of conditions, including:

• Herniated disc
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis
• Lumbar spinal stenosis
• Pregnancy
• Muscle spasms
• Bone spur
• Tumor

Certain risk factors can make you more likely to develop sciatica, including:

• Being overweight or obese
• Being older and more prone to herniated discs and bone spurs
• Working a job that requires a lot of twisting or carrying heavy loads
• Sitting for prolonged periods of time
• Having diabetes, which increases your risk of nerve damage

Managing your exposure to these risk factors can help improve your sense of comfort and well-being if you experience lower back pain. 

When should I see a doctor for my sciatica?

Mild cases of sciatica typically go away by themselves over time and with self-care remedies, like rest and taking anti-inflammatory pain medication. However, when you experience sciatica pain, that’s a warning sign, just like a check engine light in your car, and it should be evaluated professionally. 

There are some cases, however, where sciatica requires professional attention, like if you’re experiencing:

• Sciatica pain that doesn’t go away
• A loss of control in your bladder or bowels
• Numbness in your upper thighs
• Muscle weakness in your legs

If you’re experiencing any of these conditions, contact the professionals at Back in Motion Integrated Medicine immediately.

How do you treat sciatica?

There are a variety of ways to alleviate your pain and treat your sciatica, including:

• Medications, like muscle relaxants and anti-inflammatories
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Injections of corticosteroids
• Chiropractic care

To learn more about which of these treatments is most appropriate for your particular condition, schedule a visit with the experts at Back in Motion Integrated Medicine today by calling the office or booking a visit online.