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Overview

●       Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg.

●       Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

●       Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases clear up with treatment in a few weeks. People who have severe sciatica and serious leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might need surgery.

Symptoms

●       Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway. It’s especially likely to follow a path from the low back to the buttock and the back of a thigh and calf.

●       The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when coughing or sneezing or sitting a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body.

●       Some people also have numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. One part of the leg can be in pain, while another part can feel numb.

When to see a doctor

●     Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary care provider if self-care measures don’t ease symptoms. Also call if pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse. Get immediate medical care for:

–          Sudden, severe pain in the low back or a leg and numbness or muscle weakness in a leg

–          Pain after a violent injury, such as a traffic accident

–          Trouble controlling bowels or bladder

Causes

●       Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched.

●       The cause is usually a herniated disk in the spine or an overgrowth of bone, sometimes called bone spurs, form on the spinal bones.

●       More rarely, a tumor can put pressure on the nerve. Or a disease such as diabetes can damage the nerve.

Risk factors

Risk factors for sciatica include:

●     Age. Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs, are the most common causes of sciatica.

●     Obesity. Being overweight increases stress on the spine.

●     Occupation. A job that requires twisting the back, carrying heavy loads or driving a motor vehicle for long periods might play a role in sciatica.

●     Prolonged sitting. People who sit a lot or don’t move much are more likely to develop sciatica than active people are.

●     Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way the body uses blood sugar, increases the risk of nerve damage.

Complications

●     Most people recover fully from sciatica, often without treatment. But sciatica can damage nerves. Seek immediate medical attention for:

–          Loss of feeling in the affected leg

–          Weakness in the affected leg

–          Loss of bowel or bladder control

Prevention

●     It’s not always possible to prevent sciatica, and the condition can come back. To protect your back:

–          Exercise regularly. To keep the back strong, work the core muscles — the muscles in the abdomen and lower back needed for good posture and alignment. A health care provider can recommend activities.

–          Keep good posture when sitting. Choose a seat with good lower back support, armrests and a swivel base. For better low back support, place a pillow or rolled towel in the small of the back to keep its normal curve. Keep knees and hips level.

–          Use your body correctly. When standing for long periods, rest one foot on a stool or small box from time to time. When lifting something heavy, let your legs do the work. Hold the load close to your body. Don’t lift and twist at the same time. Find someone to help lift heavy or awkward things.

Diagnosis

●       During the physical exam, a health care provider might check muscle strength and reflexes. For example, you may be asked to walk on your toes or heels, rise from a squatting position, and lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back. Pain from sciatica will usually get worse while doing these moves.

Tests

●     People with severe pain or pain that doesn’t improve within a few weeks may need:

–          X-ray. An X-ray of the spine may reveal an overgrowth of bone that can be pressing on a nerve.

–          MRI. This procedure uses a powerful magnet and radio waves to produce cross-sectional images of the back. An MRI produces detailed images of bone and soft tissues, so herniated disks and pinched nerves show on the scan.

–          CT scan. Having a CT scan might involve having a dye injected into the spinal canal before the X-rays are taken (CT myelogram). The dye then moves around the spinal cord and spinal nerves, making them easier to see on the images.

–          Electromyography (EMG). This test measures the electrical impulses produced by the nerves and the responses of the muscles. This test can confirm how severe a nerve root injury is.

Our expert providers are experienced and skilled at treating sciatica and are your source for expert treatment of sciatica in Westminster and Denver Colorado. Not only are we the premier treatment for spine injuries and chiropractic in Westminster and Denver Colorado, but we also specialize in many other advanced treatment techniques such as shockwave, cold laser, graston technique, KT Taping, activator, instrument aided spinal alignments, drop table, toggle, in house rehab services, and on site digital xrays. We are your Premier destination for sciatica treatment in Westminster Colorado and Denver Colorado Chiropractor.