When you have a shooting, burning pain that begins in your lower back and extends down your leg, a chiropractic physician might diagnose sciatica. Here’s what you need to know about this common condition and how to relieve the pain.

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, refers to pain related to the long nerve that runs from your lumbar region through your hips, buttocks, and legs. In most cases, the pain is caused by compression on the nerve due to a herniated disk, a narrowing of the spine—spinal stenosis—or a bone spur. In rare cases, the pain is due to a spinal tumor. Note that sciatica is not a condition itself but rather a symptom of another issue. Solving the primary problem, such as a slipped disk, can relieve the pain.

Sciatica typically presents as pain anywhere along the nerve path, ranging from a slight ache to a sharp burning sensation. In some cases, it can be constant and debilitating, while others experience sciatica as a sharp or jolting pain akin to being shocked. For most people, it occurs only on one side and may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in that leg or foot. Rarely, the pain can cause loss of control in the bowels or bladder.

In some cases, what appears to be sciatica is instead piriformis syndrome, which causes sciatica-like symptoms. The piriform is the large muscle that extends from your lower back to your hip and allows the thighs to move from side to side. It runs over the sciatic nerve and can cause irritation that mimics sciatica. Because true sciatica is due to an issue in the spine, see your chiropractic physician for a full evaluation of symptoms to determine the cause.

Treatment Options

Many people manage it via self-care, including over-the-counter pain medication, heat and cold therapy, and stretching. Resting doesn’t typically help sciatica because it only increases the pressure, so chiropractors often recommend exercise. Massage to relieve the pressure on the nerve is also a common treatment. Maintaining proper posture and avoiding sitting for too long can help prevent and alleviate symptoms.

If the sciatica is more severe or chronic, a chiropractic physician might recommend more aggressive treatment, including physical therapy. Steroid injections, cognitive behavioral therapy, and surgery to correct the spinal problems are also treatments for serious cases.

If you have symptoms of sciatica, Dr. Mark Korchok at The Chiropractic & Sports Injury Center of Cincinnati will help find the cause and help you live pain-free. For more than 30 years, this chiropractic physician has been providing compassionate, customized care for all ages in the Cincinnati area and Hamilton County. To learn more about the practice’s methods and state-of-the-art treatments, visit their website. Call (513) 677-2200 to schedule an appointment.