Sciatica is simply a pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, often into the foot and toes. It is triggered by an inflammation of the sciatic nerve induced by a compression.
Some people suffering from sciatica can experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, normally on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences hinges on the site of the nerve compression.
In some cases the pain may be very minor, while in others it could 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 over time or persist for much longer. It all hinges on the underlying root cause.
Sciatica plus Nerve Destruction.
Even though it is rare, in some instances sciatica can cause permanent nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that triggers the sciatica pain generally is reversible.
Symptoms of a more critical medical complication include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Exactly Where the Sciatic Nerve is Located:
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They extend from the lower back all the way down to the feet.
Sciatic nerves leave 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 nerves. Usually, a herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Frequently, people suffering from sciatica have leg pain, which makes them incorrectly think that the sciatica is caused by some kind of problem within the leg.
Other root causes of sciatica can include spinal tumors, , trauma, spinal stenosis, or injury.
Anyone Can Have Sciatica.
Many people believe that sciatica is something that merely effects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. And while it’s correct that sedentary people are more at risk to get sciatica, it actually can affect active people too, specifically if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy loads often.
Most of the times, sciatica will resolve itself within a few weeks. Treatment options include exercise, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized treatment plans are recommended.
Sciatica Treatment Options.
Another more natural and less invasive sciatica treatment option is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. By gently decompressing the involved spinal disks pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can go away.
Contact us today for your free consultation if you or somebody you know is struggling with sciatica. Our sciatica 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.
Call Gallatin Disc Center Today at 615-675-4790 for a Free Consultation!
