Symptoms of Sciatica
Your sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs down from your lower back into your legs. If you are injured or if something puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, it causes a condition called sciatica.
What Are the Symptoms Of Sciatica?
If you are suffering from sciatica, you will suffer from one or more of the following five symptoms.
- Pain that radiates from one side of the buttock down one of your legs.
- Leg pain that is not dull. It is more of a tingling, searing, or burning pain.
- Weakness or numbness in the foot of the affected leg. Difficulty moving the toes is also common.
- Pain that is so sharp that standing and walking are difficult.
- Pain that worsens when sitting for long periods.
Risk Factors
While anyone can develop sciatica, certain factors can put you at greater risk of developing the condition.
- Age: The aging process can cause changes in the spine such as bone spurs and herniated discs. These are common causes of sciatica.
- Obesity: When you are carrying around excess weight, it can put pressure on your spine. This can cause spinal changes which can cause sciatica.
- Your job: If your job requires you to lift heavy objects and twist and turn all day, it can put you at risk for sciatica. The same is true if you are a driver and you spend long periods sitting and driving.
- Sedentary lifestyle: If you aren't active and you spend most of your time sitting, you are more at risk for sciatica that someone with a more active lifestyle.
- Diabetes: If you have uncontrolled diabetes, it can increase your risk of nerve damage which can result in sciatica.
How Is Sciatica Treated?
There are a few different treatment options available for sciatica. Certain medications can treat pain such as anti-inflammatory medications and muscle relaxants. In more severe cases, prescription pain medications might be necessary.
Chiropractic treatment is also a common treatment for sciatica. Your chiropractor can use a variety of treatments such as ice/cold therapy, TENS therapy, and spinal manipulation.
Contact Capitol Rehab of Crofton in Crofton, MD!
If you are suffering from the symptoms of sciatica, you should schedule an appointment with Capitol Rehab of Crofton. Our chiropractor will use diagnostic testing such as x-ray, MRI, or CAT scans to confirm the sciatica diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, our chiropractor will create a treatment plan to treat your sciatic nerve pain and help you begin living a pain-free life.