WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica refers to pain that
begins in the hip and buttocks and continues all the way down the leg.
This condition is often accompanied by low back pain, which can be more or
less severe  than
the leg pain. The term "sciatica" indicates that there are
symptoms along the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back
through the buttocks and into the leg. The Sciatic Nerve is the
biggest and longest nerve in the body.
Sciatica is
different from other forms of low back pain because there are 2 sciatic
nerves, and the pain is usually on 1 side. The pain is usually a
shooting pain, like electricity. It can also burn like fire or tingle much
like the feeling when your leg "goes to sleep." The pain can
range from slightly annoying to totally unbearable. Some people have pain
in one part of the leg and numbness in another part of the same leg.
Technically
speaking, sciatica is a symptom not a diagnosis It is a non-specific term
that is used to describe symptoms but doesn't tell us the cause. It is
usually assumed to be caused by compression of a nerve but this is not
necessarily so. Many people visit their doctor's office with these
symptoms and are diagnosed with "sciatica" and prescribed pain
medication or muscle relaxers without ever having found out the true cause
of the sciatica. At Lexington Family Chiropractic we perform a
thorough examination to find the cause of the sciatic pain.
CAUSES OF
SCIATICA
Because the sciatic
nerve is so long, irritation can occur at many points. The first place is
the lower back. Commonly, a misalignment of one or more of the lumbar
vertebra causing pressure on the nerve is responsible. This condition is
known as a subluxation,
and is one underlying cause of sciatica as well as many other health
problems.
Another source
of sciatica can be disc involvement. Discs are the cartilage-like cushions
occupying the spaces between vertebrae. Serving as spinal shock absorbers,
they allow the back to turn and bend normally. Trauma or injury from car
accidents or falls can cause a disc to bulge to one side resulting in what
many people call a "slipped disc." The proper term is disc
herniation.
Degeneration
of the spine resulting from long-standing or neglected back problems can
also irritate the sciatic nerve.
"Piriformis
Syndrome" is another cause of sciatica. As the sciatic nerve
passes through the buttock it goes through or under a muscle called the 'Piriformis'.
This muscle lies deep to the large buttock muscles (Gluteus maximus and
medius). Tension in the Piriformis muscle results in symptoms that
are easily confused with those of a herniated disc.
TREATMENT OF
SCIATICA
The medical
approach to managing sciatica is to treat the symptoms. This may include
using painkillers, muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Traction,
physical therapy or injections directly into the nerve roots may also be
used. In severe cases, even surgery may be tried.
The
chiropractic approach to treating sciatica is to find the source of nerve
irritation and relieve the pressure causing the pain. By correcting the
source of the problem, the body can heal naturally without nerve
interference. Sciatica, like other health conditions that can be traced to
the spine, often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal
function through chiropractic care.
Dr. Bob's
methods will vary according to the specific source of sciatica in each
case. First, a complete history is taken to determine when the problem
first appeared and possible sources. Next, a complete physical and
chiropractic exam is performed, and x-rays may be taken. These tests are
reviewed and discussed with you along with recommendations for treatment.
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