Sciatica Treatment
What is sciatica?
Are you experiencing pain, tingling, numbness or any combination thereof down the legs? It’s possible you are suffering from a condition called sciatica. Sciatica is produced by the irritation of the nerve roots combine to make up the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by joining of the branches of the L4, L5, S1, nerve roots exiting the intervertebral foramen. These branches of the sciatic nerve combine and then travel through the buttocks and down the back of each leg to the ankle and foot. It is the largest and longest nerve in the human body.
What causes sciatica?
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc in the low back. The compromised disc presses against the one or more of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. But sciatica also can be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal column), arthritic bone spurs, and nerve root compression caused by injury. Compression of the Sciatic nerve from muscles is another common cause such as Piriformis syndrome. In rare cases, sciatica can also be caused by growths of tumors and even side effects of being pregnant. What is important to understand is that the common denominator in all these instances is compression. All of these conditions call direct compression of the nerves that form the sciatic nerve.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of sciatica include pain that begins in your back or buttocks and moves down your leg and may move into your foot. Weakness, tingling, or numbness in the leg may also occur.
Sitting, standing for a long time, and movements that cause the spine to flex (such as knee-to-chest exercises) may make symptoms worse. Walking, lying down, and movements that extend the spine (such as shoulder lifts) may relieve symptoms.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Sciatica is diagnosed by your Chiropractor performing a detailed medical history and orthopedic exam. Your doctor will ask you a series of specific questions concerning your symptoms. Your Chiropractor may take X-rays, which will be able to detect if the Sciatica is being caused by arthritic bone spurs or spinal stenosis. An MRI will be able to identify any soft tissue dysfunctions that may be causing the Sciatica symptoms such as a herniated disc or tumor.
How is it treated?
In many cases, sciatica will improve and resolve over time with proper treatment. If you are under the treatment of an MD, they will probably prescribe mild NSAIDs (Advil/Aleve) and possibly Physical Therapy. A standard initial protocol will be 3 time per week for 4 weeks with a PT. If your Chiropractor is also a certified Physiotherapist, many of the same therapy treatments can be performed at the Chiropractor office, thus cutting your office visits in half.
If you are having little to no success with your treatments, your Chiropractor may recommend you visit a pain clinic for steroidal or non-steroidal injections.