Sciatica is simply a pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, often into the foot and toes. It is caused by an irritation of the sciatic nerve induced by a compression.
Some people dealing with sciatica also may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, normally on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences depends upon the location of the nerve compression.
In some instances the pain may be very mild, while in others it might be severe and debilitating. Although the majority of people will recover from an episode of sciatica within a few weeks, the pain can sometime worsen gradually or persist for much longer. Everything hinges on the underlying cause.
Sciatica plus Nerve Destruction.
It is unusual, however in some instances sciatica can result in irreversible nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that triggers the sciatica pain typically is reversible.
Symptoms of a more serious medical problem include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Specifically Where the Sciatic Nerve is Found:
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They reach out from the lower back all the way down to the feet.
Sciatic nerves exit the spine between two vertebrae in the lower back and travel behind the hip joint down the buttock and along the back of each leg into the feet.
Sciatica is triggered by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Typically, a herniated disk places pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Generally, people experiencing sciatica have leg pain, which makes them mistakenly think that the sciatica is caused by some kind of problem within the leg.
Other causes of sciatica can include spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis, trauma, spinal stenosis, or injury.
Anyone Can Have Sciatica.
Lots of people think that sciatica is something that merely effects people who have an inactive lifestyle. And while it’s correct that sedentary people are more at risk for sciatica, it really can affect active people as well, particularly if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy loads frequently.
For the most part, sciatica will resolve itself within a few weeks. Treatment options include exercise, physical therapy. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized therapy plans are recommended.
Sciatica Treatment Options.
Another more natural and less invasive sciatica therapy option is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By gently decompressing the involved spinal disks pressure on the sciatic nerve can be eased and the pain from sciatica can go away.
If you or somebody you know is experiencing sciatica, contact us today for your free consultation. Our medical experts can tell you if gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
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