Sciatica

Sciatica is characterized as pain that refers along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is made up of a five nerves that exit the spinal column in the lower back. These nerves come together around the hip area to form the sciatic nerve. The nerve is responsible for the majority of function and feeling in the leg which is why problems with the nerve effects the leg.

Symptoms

Symptoms of sciatica can range in both severity and quality. It is important to consult a chiropractor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms or feel you may have sciatica.

  • Lower Back Pain

  • Heavy or Weak Legs

  • Pain the the Rear or Hip

  • Leg Cramping

  • Burning or Tingling into the Leg

  • Difficulty Walking or Sitting

Causes

Sciatica can be caused by a number of things. The nerve travels a great distance around and through many structures in the body. This means there are multiple places for it to be subjected to increased pressure or be pinched. Below is a list of the common things our chiropractic practice sees when dealing with the cause of sciatica. Of course there are many other causes which is why it is important for you to make a chiropractic appointment at the first sign of sciatica symptoms.

  • Lumbar Disc Herniation or Bulge

  • Degenerative Disc Disease

  • Spinal Stenosis

  • Muscle Spasm

Treatment

Treatment of sciatica greatly depends on the cause of the problems. Dr. Favro, chiropractor, is trained to diagnose the cause of your sciatica symptoms in order to be able to create an effective treatment plan. Spinal decompression, corrective or rehabilitative exercises, Active Release Techniques, and spinal adjusting are a few of the chiropractic techniques we use to treat sciatica. If you have questions about sciatica or would like more information, please give our Saratoga Springs Chiropractic office a call.