Have you ever experienced a sharp pain that shoots down your leg and into your foot? If you have, then there is a good chance that you are suffering from sciatica. Sciatica is a condition that involves the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the human body. It originates from the nerves in your lower back and sacrum to form one big nerve that leads down the back of the legs and into the feet. Having this condition can be very debilitating. In this post, we will discuss signs, symptoms, potential causes of sciatica as well as what you can do correct the issues that lead to sciatica.
What causes sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is made up of nerves that originate from the L4 nerves of your low back to the S3 nerves of your sacrum. Together these nerves form the sciatic nerve which runs down the back of the leg and into the foot splitting into the tibial and peroneal nerves. The sciatic nerve is responsible for the movement of muscles in the thigh and sends sensory information to the back of the thigh, outside of the leg and to the foot. When this nerve is irritated, it can cause extreme discomfort and pain that can be felt throughout the areas it travels to. The pain can start in the lower back and go down all the way into the foot. Some of the common causes of sciatica are:
- Subluxations– A subluxation is when a vertebra shifts out of alignment and puts pressure on the nerves. This can cause the nerves to be irritated due to the malpositions of the vertebra. Since L4 is where the sciatic nerve starts, subluxation of L4 and L5 can cause sciatica.
- Disc Bulges/Herniations– When the discs between vertebrates are under pressure and stress they may begin to bulge. If this is not corrected, the disc can eventually herniate. When this happens, the disc starts to put pressure on the nerves in the area. A disc bulge at L4 and below can cause sciatica.
- Piriformis Syndrome– The piriformis is a muscle located in the buttocks that the sciatic nerve runs underneath. When this muscle gets injured or irritated it can get inflamed and become tight. When this happens it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve leading to sciatica.
- Degeneration of the Spine– When there is degeneration of the spine, the discs start to deteriorate and close the gaps between the vertebra. You can also develop bone spurs, which are abnormal bones that grow due to degeneration. Having less disc space can cause narrowing where the nerves exit the spine, which can cause the vertebra to put pressure on the nerves. Bone spurs can also put pressure on the nerves causing nerve pain. If there is degeneration at the L4 and L5 level, there is a chance of suffering from sciatica.
- Spinal Stenosis– Stenosis occurs when the area around the spinal cord begins to become more narrow than usual. Possible causes of stenosis include arthritis, bone spurs, and in some cases, spinal tumors or cysts. A common symptom of spinal stenosis is sciatica.
What are the signs and symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica can present itself with mild symptoms that are barely noticeable or extremely painful symptoms that can be unbearable. The most common symptoms of sciatica are:
- Low back pain
- Inflammation in the low back, legs, or feet.
- Pain that shoots down the legs and into the feet
- Pain in the glutes or hamstrings
- Numbness/tingling/weakness in the low back, glutes,legs, or feet
- Pain that worsens with movement
What are the treatment options for sciatica?
When treating sciatica, the main goal is to alleviate the pain and increase mobility of the affected areas. Treatment is based on what caused the sciatica. Conservative care, such as chiropractic care, is one of the best ways to treat this condition. When seeing a chiropractor for sciatica the provider will perform an exam and take any necessary imaging, to determine what is causing the sciatica. At Apex Chiropractic, we perform an extensive exam and take x-rays to help diagnose sciatica and determine the root cause. Once the cause is determined, the necessary treatment will be implemented. Here are some of the best treatments that a chiropractor can perform for sciatica:
- Adjustments– Adjustments are used to correct the subluxations/misalignments of the spine. If there are subluxations present in the low back, then adjustments will be used to take off pressure from the nerves and surrounding structures, such as the muscles and ligaments. At Apex Chiropractic, we use a variety of adjustments to help treat subluxations that are causing sciatica.
- Spinal Decompression– This treatment is one of the best options to treat sciatica. Spinal decompression is done by a machine that stretches the spine and the disc spaces. Decompression helps to open the disc spaces ,allowing more blood flow and nutrients to go into the space to help with the healing process. At Apex Chiropractic, we utilize the Back on Trac decompression chair. With a combination of adjustments and decompression, we are able to obtain great results for patients with sciatica.
- Electrical Muscle Stimulation (E-Stim)– This therapy sends a tingling feeling to the muscles and surrounding structures to help improve blood flow and decrease muscle tension. For patients with sciatica, this can help with decreasing inflammation and making sure the muscles that are being affected are loose and have less pain.
- Stretches/Exercises– When dealing with sciatica it is easy to just sit down and do nothing since moving around can cause pain. This is one of the worst things you can do when dealing with this condition. This is why implementing stretches and exercises with your treatment can be one of the best ways to reduce the symptoms of sciatica. By keeping the muscles and ligaments moving your mobility will benefit greatly. At Apex Chiropractic, we give our patients specific stretches and exercises to help with their sciatica.
Sciatica can be very debilitating and slow you down. The best way to combat this is by finding treatment as soon as possible so the symptoms do not become more severe. Waiting for the pain to “just go away” can have a negative impact on a person’s daily life. It can cause the pain to become severe and debilitating. Seeking conservative care, such as chiropractic care, can help ease the burden of sciatica. If you or someone you know is suffering from sciatica feel free to call us at our office to make an appointment or you can schedule online. If you have any questions please leave them below and we will be sure to answer them.