Sciatica is pain, numbness, or a tingling sensation that is caused by an irritation of the nerve roots leading to the sciatic nerve. This nerve comes from the spinal cord into the lower part of the back. It then runs through the buttocks and branches down the back of each leg. Generally, only one side is affected. For some people, the pain can be debilitating. Others find pain to be occasional, but it may gradually worsen. What are some common symptoms?
- Numbness
- Tingling in one leg
- A “pins and needles” sensation
- Pain in the buttock area
- Lower back and hip pain
- Weakness in one leg or foot
- Problems moving the affected leg
Table of Contents
What Is Behind Sciatic Pain?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It has five roots that attach to the spine. If the sciatic nerve itself or one of the five roots becomes irritated or compressed, sciatica is the end result. What may cause stress on the sciatic nerve?
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Spinal disc herniation
- Bone spurs
- Pregnancy
- Being overweight
- A tumor
- A car accident
What Can Help with Sciatica?
Sciatica is not easy to cope with. If a person is having any of the above symptoms, it is important for him to seek out the care of a professional. Who can help with sciatica? Well, a medical doctor will probably prescribe some kind of medication to ease the pain. This may help for a time. However, to address the root cause and do away with the pain of sciatica, it is best to see an upper cervical chiropractor.
Even though the pain is located in the lower back, it may be due to a misalignment in the upper neck area. As the body compensates for this misalignment, it can affect a person’s posture and a variety of other things leading to irritation of the spine and the nerves attached to it.
Once corrected through a gentle and effective means, our patients have reported a major decrease in symptoms, and some have had sciatica go away completely.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Hejny, call our Spring Lake Park office at 763-230-0116. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.