Although at this point most people know that sciatica means a lot of pain, it seems to be less common that someone actually knows what sciatica really is. With so many different conditions that someone can develop that involve pain, it can be difficult to keep track of them all. When you hear about multiple disorders, it can be easy to mix them up if you don’t interact with them on a regular basis. This is why we want to help you learn about this issue and how you can identify it in yourself in case you ever need to seek chiropractic care.
The term sciatica refers to the sciatic nerve, which stretches from your lower back down through your hips, buttocks, and down both legs. When you have any pain that travels along this nerve for any reason, it is called sciatica. There can be any number of things that cause this pain, but it is most commonly due to either a herniated disk, bone spurs, or a narrowing of the spine. These three issues may be relatively common, but that doesn’t make them any less painful. In fact, the pain from sciatica can be, and often is, completely debilitating. The swelling and numbness that accompanies sciatica are concerning enough that you should always take the first sign of symptoms seriously and not wait to see if it gets better before seeking medical assistance.
Normally, the symptoms of sciatica are strangely straightforward yet confusing at the same time. People often experience pain that radiates down their leg from the spine, but may also experience numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in the leg. People may have more than one of those symptoms in different spots in the leg. The pain can feel like anything from a mild ache to sharp, shooting pain, or a burning sensation, or even an electrical shock. It may feel more intense if you sit for extended periods of time, if you stand for too long, or if your body spasms, as if with a cough or sneeze. These widely varying symptoms are why you need to go to a doctor to get a proper diagnosis.
If you suspect you may be suffering from sciatica, call DiBella Chiropractic. Surgery is rarely needed, but having a doctor’s care is imperative for something like this. If your back hurts, you need to have someone look at it. Come in and see how much better we can make you feel!
