Sciatica is defined as an irritation of the roots of the sciatic nerve that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the lower extremities of the body. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest in the body and originates from the spinal cord in the lower part of the back. It travels through the buttocks and branches off into each leg along the back.
Sciatica usually only affects one side, and the pain is anywhere from mild to severe. In some cases, the pain begins gradually and then worsens over time. The most common symptoms a person may have with sciatica are:
- Hip and lower back pain
- Feeling weak in one leg or foot
- Inability to move the affected leg easily
- Numbness
- A pins and needles sensation
- Pain in the buttocks
- Tingling in one leg
Table of Contents
Sciatic Pain – The Underlying Cause
The sciatic nerve has five root nerves that attach to the spine. If one of the roots becomes irritated or pinched, it may result in sciatica. What causes irritation to occur?
- A vehicle accident
- Spinal disc herniation
- Being overweight
- A tumor
- Piriformis syndrome
- Pregnancy
- Bone spurs
Can Anything Help Relieve Sciatica?
When visiting a primary care physician for sciatica, one can expect to get some recommendations and maybe a prescription to help ease the pain. This is helpful for a short time, but unless the underlying cause is addressed, one can expect sciatic pain to return. To help with the root cause of pain, a trip to see an upper cervical chiropractor may be in order.
How does a chiropractor who focuses on the neck help pain in the lower back? Well, it is possible that the atlas bone (the top bone of the spine) is the cause of the pain. If it is misaligned, the spine will compensate for this by shifting and may end up irritating or pinching the sciatic nerve. By correcting the misalignment, the pain of sciatica may become a thing of the past.
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If you are outside of the Sacramento area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.