Sciatica is a pain that runs from the lower back down the leg, often into the foot and toes. It is caused by an irritation of the sciatic nerve brought about by a compression.
Some people struggling with sciatica may experience a burning, tickling or prickly sensation, usually on one side of the body. The type and amount of pain a person experiences is dependent on the location of the nerve compression.
In certain instances the pain might be very moderate, while in others it could be incapacitating and severe. Although the majority of people will recover from an episode of sciatica within a few weeks, the pain can sometime worsen over time or persist for much longer. Everything depends on the underlying source.
Sciatica and also Nerve Destruction
It is uncommon, however in some instances sciatica can result in permanent nerve damage. But the irritation of the nerve that creates the sciatica pain usually is reversible.
Symptoms of a more critical medical issue include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Exactly Where the Sciatic Nerve is Situated
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They reach out from the lower back all the way down to the toes.
Sciatic nerves exit 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 brought on by the irritation of one or both of these particular nerves. Generally, a herniated disk applies pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Commonly, people suffering from sciatica have leg pain, which makes them erroneously think that the sciatica is caused by some sort of problem within the leg.
Other sources of sciatica can include spinal tumors, trauma, spinal stenosis, or sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Anyone Can Have Sciatica
People think that sciatica is something that just effects people who have an inactive lifestyle. And while it’s right that sedentary people are more susceptible for sciatica, it in fact can affect active people as well, specifically if they participate in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights frequently.
Sciatica will typically resolve itself within a few weeks. Treatment options include exercise, physical therapy. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized treatment plans are recommended.
Sciatica Treatment Options
Another more natural sciatica treatment option is non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. By lightly decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
If you or somebody you know is struggling with sciatica our medical practitioners can tell you if non-surgical spinal decompression treatment is a good option for treating your sciatica and other pain and spinal issues.
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