What is Sciatica?

The Oxford dictionary simply defines sciatica as “pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an inter-vertebral disk.” Your spine is a complex system of bones (called vertebrae), ligaments, muscles and nerves. The longest nerve in the body is the sciatic nerve that starts in your lower back and splits to run through your hips, buttocks, legs and both feet.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica usually starts with a herniated disk normally in the lower back. When a disk gets injured or worn down, the soft center can begin to push out from the hard outer ring putting pressure on the nerves around it. This can cause a great deal of pain when pressure is put on the sciatic nerve.

What are the symptoms of Sciatica?

The main symptom of sciatica is a radiating pain anywhere on the sciatic nerve usually starting at the lower back, to the buttock, and down the back of one or both legs. Numbness in the leg and tingling sensations can also occur in the feet and toes.

Sciatica: Surgery or Chiropractic?

Sciatica Treatment

Chiropractic has been long been a proven treatment method for sciatica and back pain relief. Contact 1 of our 5 convenient chiropractic locations in Columbus to schedule your spinal evaluation today. Our online scheduling form makes booking your next appointment even easier! Schedule today!

References:
1.WebMD What is Sciatica
2.Medical News Today: Sciatica – What you need to know