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 brought about 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 level of pain a person experiences is dependent on the specific location of the nerve compression.
In some cases the pain may be very mild, while in others it might be incapacitating 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. Everything hinges on the underlying source.
Sciatica plus Nerve Deterioration.
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 complication include bladder or bowl incontinence, growing weakness, or the loss of sensation in the leg.
Where Exactly the Sciatic Nerve is Situated?
Sciatic nerves are the longest in the body. They reach out from the lower back completely down to the feet.
Sciatic nerves exit the spine between two vertebrae in the lower back and travel behind the hip joint down the buttock 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 disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve root.
Frequently, people experiencing sciatica have leg pain, which makes them mistakenly think that the sciatica is due to some kind of problem within the leg.
Other root causes of sciatica can include spinal tumors, , trauma, spinal stenosis, or sciatic nerve tumor or injury.
Anyone Can Have Sciatica.
People believe that sciatica is something that only effects people who have a sedentary lifestyle. And while it’s true that sedentary people are more at risk to get sciatica, it actually can affect active people too, particularly if they take part in activities that involve twisting the back or carrying heavy weights frequently.
In most cases, sciatica will resolve on its own within a few weeks. Therapy options include exercise, physical therapy. For some patients, however, the pain can last much longer, so individualized therapy plans are suggested.
Sciatica Therapy Options.
Another more natural sciatica therapy option is , non-surgical spinal decompression therapy. By gradually decompressing the involved spinal discs pressure on the sciatic nerve can be relieved and the pain from sciatica can disappear.
Contact us today for your free consultation if you or somebody you know is suffering from 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.
Call Houston Disc Center at (713) 622-2225 to Schedule Your Free Consultation!
