How Do You Know If You Have Sciatica?

If you have sciatica, you probably already know that you have it! The term sciatica typically means pain that runs down your leg – it can be a deep throb to a deep burn and is very debilitating. It can involve the entire leg or just the buttock, it can skip the thigh but be very intense in the calf.Typically, any movement is almost impossible and your life and work is definitely disrupted.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg.

As with most conditions the main symptoms indicate a deeper underlying causative factor. The same is true for sciatica. The worst case scenario is that you may have an injured disc, the level and severity of disc injuries vary. A swollen disc (the cause) can compress the nerve resulting in the pain (the symptom) radiating to the leg.

There also is the possibility that the piriformis muscle can be in spasm and compressing the nerve.
This is generally the least severe and easier to correct cause of sciatica.

As the nerve is compressed numbness and tingling can occur. In worsening cases muscular weakness in the leg can occur making walking a risky task. At times the muscles of the leg can waste away and at this point surgery may be your only option.

How Do You Treat Sciatica?

Sciatica requires immediate attention and a doctor that is professionally trained in the evaluation and treatment of low back condition and sciatica. Special tests and diagnostic studies are required in most cases to make an accurate diagnosis.

Early evaluation and treatment is a must otherwise long standing health issue can arise.

Once a proper and accurate diagnosis is made treatment can begin. Many times decompression therapy is the best option. These treatments are generally followed by physiotherapy as well as massage therapy to reduce the spasms. Specific stretching exercises, core strength and stabilization exercises are vitally important for the best results.

If the condition continues to worsen under conservative care spinal injections and/or trigger point injection may be required.

Our Orlando Chiropractors have training in the latest techniques to aggressively treat sciatica often time eliminating the need for surgery or injections. Fill out our contact form below to make an appointment now or call to make an appointment at (407) 423-4761.