Pain that travels from the hip or low back down the leg is referred to as sciatica. Often times it follows from the low back into the buttocks, down the back of the leg and can even extend into the foot. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It branches off into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs and provides feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. The term sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve. Typically, sciatic pain affects only one side of your body but it can affect both legs in some cases.
Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying spinal problem which is creating pressure on a nerve in your lower back. A common cause of this type of nerve compression is called Subluxation or misalignment of a vertebrae creating a nerve compression. Other causes could be a bulged or herniated lumbar disc or piriformis syndrome. Piriformis Syndrome occurs when the piriformis muscle which lies directly over the sciatic nerve becomes tight or spasmed. This in turn puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Commonly seen in men, is sciatic pain is caused by sitting on a wallet which compresses the nerve causing inflammation and pain.
Sciatica is most commonly seen with degenerative disc disease in the lower lumbar spinal joints. It can also occur in patients who exhibit narrowing of the spine or stenosis which compresses part of the sciatic nerve, or when a bone spur puts pressure along the sciatic nerve – often seen in cases of moderate to severe DDD or Arthritis.
People who are experiencing severe sciatic pain with significant leg weakness and/or changes in bowel or bladder may be candidates for surgical procedures.
Pain that radiates from your lower lumbar spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg are classic signs of Sciatica. It often can feel like a burning hot poker in the buttocks. Sciatic pain can occur almost anywhere along the nerve pathway, but it often follows the path from your low back into the buttocks and down the back of the thigh and/or calf.
The pain can vary widely from a mild ache to a burning sensation, to a sharp, stabbing or excruciating type of pain. Sometimes it has been described as an electric shock in the buttocks area. It can be worse when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting often aggravates the symptoms.
Some people experience numbness and or tingling or muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. You could also experience pain in one part of your leg and numbness in another part. Usually only one side of your body is affected but sciatica can affect both legs.
Most of the time sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of chiropractic spinal adjustments, specific muscle stretches, and deep tissue massage of the piriformis muscle. Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve with conservative, non-operative treatments in a few weeks.
It’s not always possible to prevent sciatica, and the condition may recur. The following can play a key role in protecting your back: