Are you looking for a cure for sciatica?

Is pain shooting down your leg - perhaps with tingling or numbness? Well, it may be sciatica - a medical term often caused by a low-back condition.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica, a symptom of a spinal disorder - occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed, irritated or inflamed. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body. It runs from the spinal column near the pelvis down each leg and may be as wide as the thumb. Each sciatic nerve is made up of five smaller nerves that branch into the thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot.

What does sciatica feel like?

Sciatica is associated with pain, burning, tingling sensations, numbness, and muscle weakness in the hip, buttock, leg, calf and foot. Pain varies in intensity - from minimal to severe, and in frequency - from occasional to constant. Pain may be described as dull, achy, sharp, pins and needles or similar to electric shocks. This pain can last for several days or weeks and may subside for a few hours.

What causes Sciatica?

A misaligned lower spine that pinches the root of the sciatic nerve may result in sciatica. Several types of spinal disorders can cause spinal nerve compression and sciatica. The most common spinal disorders include a bulging or herniated disc, lumbar spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spaces in the spinal column that cause compression of the spinal cord or nerve roots), Spondylolisthesis (characterized by one vertebra slipping forward over an adjacent vertebra), trauma (slip and fall, auto or sports injury), spinal tumors and Piriformis Syndrome - named after the Piriformis muscle, located in the lower part of the spine, connecting to the thigh bone - which helps with hip rotation. Since the sciatic nerve runs under the Piriformis muscle, it becomes susceptible to injury.

Arthritis, pregnancy and childbirth, diabetes, constipation, vitamin deficiencies, and any degeneration (resulting from long-term stress on the lower back) can cause sciatica. Being overweight or having poor posture while standing, sitting, lifting, bending or twisting can trigger symptoms. Additionally, walking or running improperly, sitting on one’s back pocket wallet or even sneezing can lead to sciatica.

How is Sciatica diagnosed?

An accurate diagnosis will ensure that a patient receives the best treatments to relieve their pain and get them back to a pain-free lifestyle. Analysis is based upon the patient’s health history, X-rays and/or MRI findings and a structural and muscular examination.

What Sciatica treatment options are available?

• Pain Management
• Physical Therapy Exercises and Stretches
• Deep Tissue Massage
• Ice/Cold Therapy
• Ultrasound
• TENS Unit
• Chiropractic Adjustments
• Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
• Supports
• Acupuncture
• Healthy Diet and Supplementation

Are you looking for a cure for sciatica? If you are suffering with Sciatica, there is help and hope. Once the cause has been identified, a systematic sciatica treatment plan can be created specifically to meet the needs of your body and provide you with sciatica relief. In addition, a course of treatment can correct any underlying problems that may have caused your pain in the first place.