Sciatica

Sciatica is the term used to describe persistent pain felt along the sciatic nerve. The lower lumbar nerves that stem between the lumbar vertebra come to together to form the Sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body and runs from the low back through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. It controls the muscles of the lower leg and provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and the soles of the feet.

 

Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low-back and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is actually a set of symptoms—not a diagnosis for what is irritating the nerve root and causing the pain.

Chiropractic evaluates the spine for vertebral misalignments that  cause irritation and nerve interference known as Subluxations. Subluxations are very commonly the diagnosis of the Sciatic pain..

The most common symptom associated with sciatica is pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back and down one leg; however, symptoms can vary widely depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected. Some may experience a mild tingling, a dull ache, or even a burning sensation, typically on one side of the body.

 

Most commonly patients with sciatica are between the ages of 30-50 years old and report that the onset was mild and gets more severe with time.

 

Some patients also report:
• A pins-and-needles sensation, most often in the toes or foot
• Numbness or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot

 In addition, the pain can worsen after prolonged sitting, sneezing, coughing, bending, or other sudden movements.

 

For most people, sciatica responds very well to Chiropractic care. Keeping in mind that sciatica is a symptom and not a stand-alone medical condition, treatment plans will often vary depending on the underlying cause of the problem.

 

Chiropractic offers a non-invasive (non-surgical), drug-free treatment option. The goal of chiropractic care is to restore spinal movement, eliminating nerve interference thereby improving function while decreasing pain and inflammation. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, a chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods, including but not limited to spinal adjustments, ice/heat therapy, ultrasound, TENS, and rehabilitative exercises.

 

In some cases,  diagnostic imaging, such as x-ray, MRI, or CT scan  may be used to rule out a more serious condition, such as a tumor or infection, and can be used when patients with severe symptoms fail to respond to six to eight weeks of conservative treatment.

 

information from ACA 2015