Apr 16, 2024
Sciatica refers to the nerve pain resulting from an injury or
irritation to your sciatic nerve. Sciatica is not a condition, but
rather a symptom of another problem involving the sciatic
nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the human
body. It runs from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down
the legs, ending just below the knee.
The sciatic nerve controls several muscles in the lower legs and
supplies sensation to the skin of the foot and the majority of the
lower leg.
Causes of Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain is often a result of a herniated disk in the
spine. Other causes include bone spurs on the lower back bones,
tumors, or nerves affected by another health issue.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica symptoms include:
-
Pain:
Sciatica pain is a result of pressure exalted on the affected
nerve. Most people who have experienced sciatica pain describe it
as burning or like an electric shock. The pain often shoots or
radiates down the leg on the affected side.
-
Numbness and tingling:
It occurs when you can’t feel sensations on the skin in the
affected areas of your back or leg. The numbness usually happens
when you wake up or sit in one position for a long
time.
-
Muscle weakness:
This is a more severe symptom. It means that muscle command signals
are having trouble reaching their destinations in your back or
legs.
-
Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence:
This is a very severe symptom. It means that signals that control
your bladder and bowels are not reaching their
destinations.
Risk Factors for Sciatica
The common risk factors for sciatica include:
-
History of back pain:
A history of back pain or problems with the back may increase one’s
risk of sciatica.
-
Having excess weight or obesity:
The more weight you have, the more your back muscles have to work
to support the body weight. That can lead to back strains, pain,
and other issues.
-
Your job:
Jobs that require heavy lifting, a lot of bending, or prolonged
sitting without proper back support may increase your risk of lower
back problems.
-
Physical inactivity:
Sitting for long periods and a lack of physical activity can
increase the risk of sciatica.
-
Normal wear-and-tear:
As we get older, wear-and-tear is normal, especially on the spine
which can lead to pinched nerves, herniated disks, and other
conditions that increase the risk of sciatica.
How to Manage Sciatica Symptoms Effectively
Depending on the cause, milder cases of sciatica usually get better
with self-treatment. Some of the applicable self-treatment
include:
-
Stretching and physical activity help strengthen the core muscles
and reduce back pain.
-
A home remedy that targets the use of ice during the first 1-2 days
when pain first begins.
-
Another practical home remedy is applying a heat pack to the area
if the pain persists longer than 2 days.
Chronic sciatica pain can effectively be treated through
chiropractic adjustments. Chiropractors use a special method called
spinal manipulations where they gently move the vertebrae and
joints back where they should be, using quick and soft thrusts. The
adjustments and movements aim to fix the spine’s alignment,
reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve for pain relief and allowing
the body to recover. When the joint or vertebra returns to its
proper place, inflammation decreases, and the healing
starts.
Are you experiencing chronic sciatica pain? Start your chiropractic
care today! Call 252-335-2225 to schedule a visit with Dr. Jason B.
Jones - 706 W. Ehringhaus Street - Elizabeth City, NC
27909.