Sciatica and Leg Pain
Sciatica is a severe pain in the leg caused
by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the sciatic
nerve. The sciatic nerves are the largest and longest nerves
in the body, reaching about the size of your thumb in diameter,
and running down the back of each leg. Each sciatic nerve
is composed of five smaller nerves that leave the spinal cord
from the lower spinal column, join together and then travel
down each leg. It then divides into many smaller nerves that
travel to the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot and toes. When
these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation
of nearby soft tissues, doctors refer to this as sciatica.
Symptoms of Sciatica
People with “sciatica” can suffer
from a wide range of symptoms. Often the pain will come and
go. At times, it may be constant, but then it may subside
for hours and days. Some people may only feel a dull ache
or numbness, which travels down the back into the upper leg.
For others, it may be intense “shooting pains”
down the leg and into the foot and toes.
Many factors affect the pain of sciatica. Sitting
in one position for long periods of time as when driving or
working at a computer can increase the pain. Working out or
running, or even simple things like walking, bending, turning
or standing up may be difficult or painful. Tennis or golf
and other twisting activities can cause sciatica pain to flare-up.
For some, the pain might be in both legs or change from side
to side. For a number of others, back pain may occur before
the sciatica itself.
Causes of Sciatica
Because the sciatic nerve is so long, irritation
can occur at many points. The first place is the lower back.
Commonly, a misalignment of one or more of the lumbar vertebra
causing pressure on the nerve is responsible. This condition
is known as a subluxation, one underlying cause of sciatica
as well as many other health problems.
Another source of sciatica can be disc involvement.
Discs are the cartilage-like cushions occupying the spaces
between vertebrae. Serving as spinal shock absorbers, they
allow the back to turn and bend normally. Trauma or injury
from car accidents or falls can cause a disk to bulge to one
side resulting in what many people call a “slipped disk.”
The proper term is disc herniation.
Sciatica has also been liked to various non-spinal
conditions. Arthritis, advanced diabetes, tumors, constipation,
and even vitamin deficiencies have been reported as causes.
Finally, degeneration of the spine resulting
from long-standing or neglected back problems can also irritate
the sciatic nerve. Causes of sciatica have been reported following
childbirth, usually due to pressure on the spine.
Treatment for Sciatica
The medical approach managing sciatica is to
treat the symptoms. This may include using painkillers, muscle
relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Traction, physical therapy
or injections directly into the nerve roots may also be used.
In severe cases, even surgery may be tried.
The chiropractic approach to treating sciatica
is to find the source of nerve irritation and relive the pressure
causing the pain. By correcting the source of the problem,
the body can heal naturally without nerve interference. Sciatica,
like other health conditions that can be traced to the spine,
often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal
function through chiropractic care.
Your chiropractor’s methods will vary
according to the specific source of sciatica in each case.
First, a complete history is taken to determine when the problem
first appeared and possible sources. Next, a complete physical
and chiropractic exam is preformed, and x-rays are may be
taken. These tests are reviewed and discussed with you along
with recommendations for treatment.
Treatment will vary according to the severity
of the condition. With most patients, a series of adjustments
to move the related vertebra back to a more normal position
is helpful to reduce the pressure on the nerve. In some cases,
the use of ultrasound and ice is needed. Massage therapy to
reduce the pain related to muscle spasms is frequently helpful.
Combining adjustments with physical therapy has proven very
successful in treating most sciatica.
Don’t Wait
Whatever the cause of sciatica, is important
to seek treatment promptly. Too many people wait, hoping the
pain will go away or get better by itself. However, it is
usually easier to treat a problem when it is first noticed.
Too many people wait until the pain becomes unbearable, suffering
needlessly. Long-term nerve damage may result from this delay
in seeking treatment.
Long-Term Results
A 1990 British study compared patients
who received traditional medical treatment for a variety of
back-related problems with others who received chiropractic
care. Of 741 patients followed over three years, researchers
found that those seen by chiropractic doctors experienced
better results and missed less time from work.
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