What is Sciatica?
The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain—and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness—that originate in the lower back and travel through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. The pain of sciatica is sometimes referred to as sciatic nerve pain. Typically, sciatica affects only one side of your body.
Sciatica is often characterized by one or a combination of the following symptoms:
- Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely can occur in both legs)
- Pain that is worse when sitting
- Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling or searing (vs. a dull ache)
- Weakness, numbness or difficulty moving the leg or foot
- A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or to walk
There are many risk factors leading to sciatica, including:
- Occupation. A job that requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads or drive a motor vehicle for long periods may play a role in sciatica, but there’s no conclusive evidence.
- Prolonged sitting. People who sit for prolonged periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people are.
Because sciatica is caused by an underlying medical condition, treatment is focused on addressing the underlying causes of symptoms, such as spinal stenosis or a herniated disc. If you think you have sciatic nerve pain, Karras Chiropractic can help. Our goal is to help your body heal naturally and completely, using the most modern chiropractic techniques. By listening attentively to our patients, diagnosing the root problem and determining the best treatment plan for your individual case, we will help you find the most effective, natural means to lasting pain relief and wellness.
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