Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that comes from physical pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the hip to the buttocks, down the leg and to the foot. Sciatic pain typically originates from a herniated disc or bone spur that puts pressure on a nerve in the spine. The pain and/or numbness is generally on one side of the body, and may impact just the lower back and buttocks, or just the lower back, or down one leg possibly all the way to the foot. Sciatica typically originates from a herniated disc or bone spur that puts pressure on a nerve in the spine. 

Sciatica may also develop from piriformis syndrome, a rare disorder that causes the piriformis muscle in the buttocks to irritate the sciatic nerve. The symptoms in this case are often very similar, including 

Some of the most overlooked symptoms of sciatica are numbness and muscle weakness, as the condition is often associated with lingering pain or sharp and sudden spurts of pain when a person arches their back or otherwise contorts their spine, causing a herniated disc or bone spur to make contact with the sciatic nerve. Like sciatic pain, the numbness or muscle weakness will generally occur on only one side of the body at any point from the lower back to the foot, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve from either a part of the spine or by piriformis syndrome.

Patients suffering from sciatica typically report symptoms such as radiating pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or lower extremities; pain that is dull or sharp; numbness or tingling in the legs that feel like pins and needles; muscle weakness, and foot numbness. Typically, the first line of defense for sciatica is to practice self-care techniques like rest, ice, and light stretching. If the patient does not experience pain relief from these conservative methods, he or she may benefit from physical therapy and other alternative treatment options. That's where AFC Physical Medicine & Chiropractic Centers comes in -- our team thoroughly evaluates the patient's injury before ordering diagnostic imaging to determine the exact cause of pain. If the tests confirm sciatica, a comprehensive physical therapy regimen may be developed and implemented in conjunction with trigger point therapy, massage therapy, and other services offered at AFC.