Sciatica is a distracting pain that starts in the lower back and extends down into one or both legs. It tends to affect those in their forties and fifties. Five pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to form the sciatic nerves. These smaller nerves branch into the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, and foot. The sciatic nerves can become irritated through a number of factors. Sciatica itself is not a condition. In fact, it is a symptom of another condition. Sciatica originates from compression of the sciatic nerves which can occur from a number of things:
- pregnancy
- lumbar spine misalignment
- direct pressure on the sciatic nerve
- non-musculoskeletal disorders like diabetes and constipation
- small activities like sitting uncomfortably on your wallet
Sciatica can also result from damage to the discs between the vertebra that make up your spine. These soft, pulpy discs can bulge, herniated or rupture if too much pressure is placed on them. This puts stress on nearby nerves, resulting in swelling, inflammation and pain. Once a disc has been damaged, pain symptoms of sciatica can appear on small actions, like coughing, sneezing or twisting. Pain usually worsens with long periods of sitting or standing, or with extended bed rest.
People can experience sciatica in a variety of symptoms, intensity and frequency. Commonly, sciatic pain includes achy, sharp pins and needles down the leg, with a sensation similar to electric shocks. Sciatic nerve pain can also involve numbness, burning and muscle weakness. Pain can last for a few hours, or last as long as weeks.
Sciatica: Underlying Problems
As there are many causes of sciatica, is it important to first identify what the underlying problem is. Treatment for sciatica must be tailored to address the root of the problem, or it will not be effective. Chiropractors are specially trained in assessing and identifying the source of sciatica. Investigation of underlying causes involves taking a full medical history, examination of the affected area, and occasionally x-rays or MRIs.
Chiropractors can then design a treatment plan based on the cause, symptoms and the history of the individual’s episodes. Sciatica treatment may involve soft tissue therapy to reduce any muscle inflammation or tension, and chiropractic adjustments to realign the vertebra and discs in the spine. Sciatica exercises can also be recommended, to improve the motion in the area, and to reduce painful symptoms.
Fortunately, sciatica often responds to safe, natural chiropractic care. Improving joint motion with a series of chiropractic adjustments has produced results for millions. Many patients report that they can resume their lives and their symptoms disappear without drugs and surgery. Santilli found in a double blinded clinical trial1 that patients with sciatica from a disc protrusion had a high reduction in pain from spinal manipulation then mobilization.
Spine J. 2006 Mar-Apr;6(2):131-7. Epub 2006 Feb 3.Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S.
Sciatica FAQs
A Pinched nerve in the lower back occurs when a nerve in lumbar spine becomes compressed. This occurs usually by a disc bulge or a bone spur from arthritis presses on the nerve. It may cause pain, numbness, weakness or pins and needles down the leg to the foot.
Most people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their life. Common causes of lower back pain include sprain or strain injuries to the muscles or joints, disc injuries or arthritis. Most people will initially need to rest, receive physical treatment and take medication. Sciatica only very rarely goes away on it own. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is being compressed usually by a disc bulge or arthritis. It can cause pain from the spine radiating down the back of your leg. If left untreated sciatic can lead to chronic back pain. Often gentle walking can relieve the symptoms of sciatica. Although, sometimes depending on the cause, sciatica may be aggravated. Walking can assist in the reduction of inflammation and release endorphins which helps with the pain. It is always important to get an assessment as soon as possible. Hip problems usually start in your groin and cause pain in the front of your thigh. It hurts when you put weight on your hip or move your hip. Sciatica starts in your lower back and radiates down the back of your leg. Sciatica can cause numbness, tingling or weakness. Sciatica is caused when there is compression to the sciatic nerve. This is usually causes by a slipped or bulging disc, arthritis, inflammation or something compressing or pinching the nerve. Sciatica causes lower back pain and pain down the leg. This can be numbness, weakness, pins and needles or tingling. Stretching can help the symptoms of sciatica by decompressing the nerve caused by tight muscles. Another option is medical intervention with injections which can help with pain temporarily. Chiropractic care can help by releasing the joints taking pressure off the nerve root causing the pain. Sciatica can be made worse by a herniated disc or arthritis which compresses the nerve. Heavy lifting or sitting for prolonged periods can also make the sciatica worse, sometimes simply coughing or sneezing can also flare up sciatica. The four types of sciatica include acute sciatica which has a 4–8 week duration. Chronic Sciatica which is persistent nerve pain that lasts longer than 8 weeks. Alternating sciatica which affects both legs alternatively. And Bilateral sciatica which occurs in both legs simultaneously. If you have sciatica, you should ensure you’re not in a seated position for longer than 20 minutes at a time. You should also avoid lifting heavy objects and bending your back in an unnatural way. Putting any extra pressure on your back may worsen your symptoms. Often piriformis syndrome can be mistaken for sciatica pain. The piriformis muscle that sits deep in your pelvis and may irritate or compress the sciatica nerve when it is inflamed. Piriformis syndrome may affect your buttock and hip and travel down your leg. For immediate relief of sciatica pain try ice therapy and apply it to your lower back. Ice can assist in reducing inflammation in the area compressing the nerve. Taking NSAID can also reduce the swelling around the nerve. It is important to see a health professional as soon as possible. Pinched nerves tend to be a symptom of a musculoskeletal problem. Chiropractors treat pinched nerves as they have a specific understanding of the body and its nerves. They have thorough knowledge of where to apply pressure on the body to reduce pain associated with a pinched nerve and overtime will dissipate. Pinched nerves do not show up on X-RAY imaging alone, but bones do. Doctors can determine the positioning of the bones and indicate if there is any narrowing or damage to the bones that could be causing symptoms of a pinched nerve. You don’t have to go to the ED if you are only experiencing symptoms of a pinched nerve. If symptoms are accompanied with sudden severe pain, numbness, or paralysis that doesn’t go away, or loss of sensation in the bowl or genital area then you should go to the ED. A Pinched nerve in the lower back occurs when a nerve in lumbar spine becomes compressed. This occurs usually by a disc bulge or a bone spur from arthritis presses on the nerve. It may cause pain, numbness, weakness or pins and needles down the leg to the foot. What causes lower back pain?
Does sciatica go away on its own?
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