Sciatica

When the pain in your lower back begins to radiate down your legs, the result can be days of debilitating pain and numbness. Your sciatic nerve originates in your lower back and runs all the way down the back of each leg. When something causes pressure or damage to this nerve, the pain or numbness that results can travel its entire length, wreaking havoc on your lower back and legs in the process. Luckily, surgical options are not usually necessary to mitigate this condition, and our team of back pain specialists has helped many patients suffering from sciatica over the years.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is reasonably easy to identify. If the pain in your back travels down through your buttocks, through the back of your legs and all the way to your calf, it is incredibly likely that you have sciatica. However, sciatica-related pain will not necessarily impact this entire pathway. Instead, it is possible for you to feel sciatic pain anywhere along these areas.

The main variation in these symptoms that individuals experience is the level of pain. Mild sciatica may be a barely-perceptible tingling or sting in your calves and legs, whereas severe sciatica can be utterly debilitating if left untreated. Sudden movement, sneezing or coughing can cause jolts of pain. If you have been sitting for an extended period, standing can cause a sudden, almost electrical jolt to travel along this pathway for someone with severe sciatica.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is caused by the compression or pinching of an area of your sciatic nerve. Certain factors can cause this to occur; understanding these can help you avoid any lifestyle decisions which could worsen your pain, and can help you know what treatments may help reduce your pain. Some of the most common causes of sciatica include:

• Disc problems – herniated or bulging discs can pressure your sciatic nerves. These are the most common causes of the ailment.
• Bone spurs – over time, overgrowths of bone can press on your nerves, causing compression and pain.
• Obesity – More weight on your spine causes a higher likelihood of slipped discs and pinched nerves.
• Sitting/posture – Your sciatic nerve runs through your buttocks and sitting can put a strain on this particular area of the nerve, as well as an increased strain on your spinal column.
• Diabetes – The chemical changes your body experiences during diabetes can cause the breakdown of nerves. Sciatica may result in severe cases.

Our Sciatica Treatment Specialists

At Integrated Health Solutions, our pain specialists may be able to help you ease the underlying condition pinching your sciatic nerve. Some of our treatment methods include:

• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Cold Laser Therapy
• Decompression therapy
• Nutrition and fitness counseling

If you believe you are suffering from sciatica, we can offer you pain relief solutions and help facilitate your body’s natural healing potential. Get in touch with us today to learn more about our processes and how we can help you ease your sciatic pain. Call us at our Orland office, or leave us a message describing your situation on our website.