Sciatica is a pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, often into the foot and toes. It is brought on by an inflammation of the sciatic nerve brought about by a compression.
Some people suffering from sciatica may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, typically on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences depends upon the specific location of the nerve compression.
In certain cases the pain might be very minor, while in others it could be extreme and devastating. Most 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 cause.
Sciatica and also Nerve Destruction
It is uncommon, however in some instances sciatica can result in irreversible nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that causes the sciatica pain usually is reversible.
Symptoms of a more dangerous medical complication include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Where Exactly the Sciatic Nerve is Situated
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They stretch out from the lower back all the way down to the toes of 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 foot.
Sciatica is triggered by the irritation of one or both of these nerves. Usually, a herniated disk puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Many times, people experiencing sciatica have leg pain, which makes them wrongly think that the sciatica is caused by some kind of problem within the leg.
Other sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, spondylolisthesis, trauma, spinal stenosis, or sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Any Person Can Easily Have Sciatica
Many people believe that sciatica is something that solely effects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. And while it’s correct that sedentary people are more susceptible for sciatica, it really can affect active people also, specifically if they take part in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights regularly.
Most of the times, sciatica will resolve itself within a few weeks. Therapy options include exercise, physical therapy and corticosteroid injections. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized therapy plans are recommended.
Sciatica Treatment Options
Another more natural sciatica therapy option is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By naturally decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
If you or somebody you know is suffering from sciatica, contact us today for your free consultation. Our medical professionals can tell you if gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
Contact Elmira Disc Center at (607) 733-3235 to Schedule Your Complimentary Consultation!
