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 inflammation of the sciatic nerve generated by a compression.
Some people suffering from sciatica also may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, usually on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences depends upon the area of the nerve compression.
In some cases the pain may be very mild, while in others it may be debilitating and extreme. 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 depends on the underlying source.
Sciatica and Nerve Damage.
It is unusual, however in some instances sciatica can result in permanent nerve damage. The irritation of the nerve that induces the sciatica pain generally is reversible.
Symptoms of a more serious medical problem 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 reach out from the lower back all the way down to 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 foot.
Sciatica is triggered by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Generally, a herniated disk applies pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Generally, people experiencing sciatica have leg pain, which makes them erroneously 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 sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Any Person Can Easily Have Sciatica.
Many people believe that sciatica is something that only effects people who have an inactive lifestyle. And while it’s right that sedentary people are more susceptible for sciatica, it actually can affect active people as well, particularly if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy loads frequently.
Sciatica will typically resolve on its own 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 advised.
Sciatica Therapy Solutions.
Another more natural sciatica treatment option is gentle, non-surgical spinal decompression treatment. By gently decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
Contact St. Augustine Disc Center at 904-217-7277 Today to Schedule Your Free Consultation!
