What is Sciatica
Sciatica is a term used to describe pain originating from the sciatic nerve. This condition typically gives pain running down the back of the leg from buttock to ankle and foot. However, this name is also often used to describe any pain in the leg which is believed to originate from the back – though this is not factually accurate!!
The Sciatic Nerve is made up of 5 nerves which exit the base of the lumbar spine and sacrum. They group together in the buttock and become one long nerve, that extends all the way down the leg. Any irritation or compression of this nerve can result in ‘Sciatica’.
Symptoms
Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient, but in general pain in the leg is a constant reported feature. This pain can range from a deep ‘toothachey’ pain to a numbness or tingling. The pain can be along the whole line of the nerve to the foot or simply a patch of pain anywhere along said nerve.
Pain can also be felt in the lower back , but this is not always the case. More often than not, sciatic pain is one-sided. Occasionally both legs can be affected and if this is the case, the opinion of a medical professional should be sought quickly, especially if accompanied by any amount of numbness, tingling or muscular weakness in the legs or surrounding areas.
Sciatica Treatment
Getting to the root cause of your sciatic pain is key to resolving your pain and getting you back on the right track. Sciatic pain can come from several different sources including disc problems, muscular pressure, degenerative changes within the spine itself or simply following trauma. Identifying the cause and making an accurate diagnosis is vital to providing the right treatment.
As chiropractors we are trained to detect and differentiate between the varying causes of sciatica and know the best way to treat these problems.
Sciatica can be a very painful issue and will not disappear overnight. We believe in working alongside your other healthcare practitioners to support you through this painful time and make sure that you are receiving all the help that is available to you, both from the NHS as well as ourselves. With the right multi-modal approach including exercises, manual therapy and rehab advice, you will be on your way to recovery in no time.
