Are you experiencing LEG pain and think it may be Sciatica? 

A common question we often hear in our clinic is the following is ‘I think I may have sciatica but I’m not sure’. Could your leg pain be sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition we see in patients who are presenting to us in the clinic. We will go through the common signs and symptoms you may experience with sciatica, along with the possible causes. It can vary from mild to quite a severe and debilitating pain, making day to day activities a challenge

The sciatic nerve is the biggest nerve in the body, a nerve starts from the lower back, travels through the buttock and down the back of the leg into the foot.

There can be a number of different reasons for compression of the sciatic nerve. These reasons can include:

  • Bulging or herniated disc. This is where a bulge in the disc places undue pressure on the sciatic nerve.
  • Narrowing of the spinal canal.
  • Wear/tear in the lumbar spine, commonly referred to as degeneration or decay.
  • Trauma
  • Piriformis syndrome – the sciatic nerve passes directly underneath the piriformis muscle (through the muscle in 10 % of the population). If the muscle becomes too tight it can compress the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica symptoms

The pain from sciatica is felt along the path of the sciatic nerve and can be in the buttock with a deep sharp feeling, with pain that travels down the back of the leg, sometimes to the foot. The pain can be accompanied by tingling, pins and needles, or numbness, and sometimes muscular weakness in the leg.

Generally sciatica is felt in only one leg at a time and sometimes, a sensation like an electric shock can be felt along the nerve.Sciatica can be aggravated by a sneeze or cough, going to the toilet, or sitting and may be accompanied by lower back pain.

What can you do if you think you have sciatica

If you relate to the symptoms we have talked about then contact us to find out more or if you know someone who could benefit from this information then make sure to pass this along. One of our doctors of chiropractors will be more than happy to assist you to find out  ‘could your LEG pain be Sciatica? ‘

Dr. Britt and Dr. Lisa, chiropractors

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Categories Low Back Pain
 
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