Assembly line workers, long-distance truck drivers, and other sedentary occupations may struggle with ongoing hip and lower back pain. The culprit could be sciatica, which is a condition that affects these areas and can be debilitating if not treated. Here’s what you need to know about the diagnosis, the sciatica nerve, and treatment options.

Where Is the Sciatic Nerve?

The body’s longest nerve is the sciatic. It starts in the lower back and travels across the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. When a person is diagnosed with sciatica, some form of trauma has occurred around the spinal area. This includes spine compression or narrowing, a herniated disk, or bone spurs on the spine. 

What Is Sciatica?

Some typical outcomes from sciatica are pain, numbness, and inflammation in one leg. Hip and lower back pain are other forms of discomfort. Patients have described the pain as ranging from a dull ache to throbbing, shooting, or emitting pin-like shocks. In severe cases, sciatica can cause disruptions in the bladder and bowel systems. 

What Are the Treatment Options?

Depending on its severity, sciatica can be initially treated with regular stretching and exercise that focuses on the lower back. These include walking and yoga. Scheduling a chiropractic adjustment to release tightened back muscles is another treatment option. A few days of bed rest on a firm mattress along with hot or cold compresses on the lower back may also provide relief.  

Over-the-counter pain relievers containing acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease leg and lower back pain. If the discomfort continues, stronger medicine such as steroid injections and muscle relaxants may be prescribed by a doctor. Surgery is the final treatment option if all of the other remedies fail to work after at least three months. 

The encouraging news is sciatica can be effectively treated. Since 1979, Mid Rivers Chiropractic in Saint Peters, MO, has helped individuals of all ages by providing pain relief. Serving the greater St. Charles County area, the team of licensed, certified and experienced chiropractors specializes in customized care for spine, upper, and lower back pain. If you’re experiencing ongoing pain, call (636) 279-1400 to schedule an appointment, or visit the website for information on available services.