What is Sciatica?
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 brought about by a compression.
Some people struggling with 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 depends upon the location of the nerve compression.
In some cases the pain can be very mild, while in others it may be devastating and severe. 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 is dependent on the underlying cause.
Sciatica plus Nerve Destruction.
Although it is rare, in some instances sciatica can result in irreversible nerve damage. But the irritation of the nerve that causes the sciatica pain usually is reversible.
Symptoms of a more critical medical issue include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Exactly Where the Sciatic Nerve is Found:
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They extend from the lower back completely 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 buttocks and along the back of each leg into the feet.
Sciatica is brought on by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Usually, a herniated disc applies pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Often, people suffering from sciatica have leg pain, which makes them incorrectly think that the sciatica is due to some sort of problem within the leg.
Other root causes of sciatica can include spinal tumors, trauma, spinal stenosis, or injury.
Anybody Can Have Sciatica.
Many people believe that sciatica is something that merely effects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. And while it’s right that sedentary people are more susceptible to get sciatica, it really can affect active people as well, especially if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights frequently.
In most cases, sciatica will resolve on its own within a few weeks. Treatment options include exercise, physical therapy. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized treatment plans are suggested.
Sciatica Therapy Options.
Another more natural and less invasive sciatica therapy option is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. By gradually decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be eased and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with sciatica, contact us today for your consultation. Our medical practitioners can tell you if non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
Call North Eastern Pennsylvania Disc Center at 570-341-7062 to Schedule a Consultation!
