With more than 3 million cases reported each year, sciatica is a common complaint among Americans. If you are experiencing leg pain that may or may not be accompanied by weakness, tingling or numbness and originates in the lower back and travels through your buttock and down your leg, you may be suffering from this painful and sometimes debilitating condition.
What is Sciatica?
The term “sciatica” refers to pain – and sometimes numbness, tingling or weakness – in the leg that originates in the lower back. The pain travels from the back, through the buttock and down into the back of the leg via the sciatic nerve.
The symptoms of sciatica occur when the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body, is compressed in the lumbar spine or otherwise irritated. The symptoms of sciatic include:
- Leg pain that can be described as searing, burning or tingling
- Constant pain that is only felt in one side of the buttock or leg
- Sharp pain that makes it difficult to walk or stand
- Pain that is more severe when sitting down
- Numbness, tingling or weakness that make it difficult to move the foot or leg
Patients who suffer from sciatica may experience one or all of these symptoms. In many instances, the condition occurs as the result of frequent exposure to mechanical vibrations or repetitive lifting. Accidental injuries can also lead to sciatica. However, you could experience the symptoms of sciatica even if you have none of the common risk factors. Sometimes, it can occur for no apparent reason.
Sciatica Treatment
In many cases, sciatica clears up on its own within 72 hours. If it doesn’t, though, you may need to seek professional intervention. When you visit a chiropractor for sciatica treatment, you will likely be feeling better again in no time. Chiropractic care with spinal manipulation has been proven to provide excellent results for patients suffering from sciatica. At WellCore Health and Chiropractic, we treat sciatica using spinal manipulations and light exercise. We can also help you pinpoint the cause of your sciatica and determine lifestyle changes that will decrease your likelihood of experiencing it again.
If you are suffering from leg pain from sciatica in Hillsboro, Oregon or the surrounding areas, there is no need to suffer in silence. Consider a chiropractic adjustment or a massage in Hillsboro. Please give us a call at 503-648-6997 today and you will be on your way to living your life as you did before the pain started.