Everyone experiences leg pain once in a while, but if you experience additional symptoms like leg weakness and a tingling sensation in your legs, you may need immediate medical help. If you are looking for long-term relief from sciatica, your Mason sciatica specialist at Elite Physical Medicine has your back.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is the excruciating nerve pain that stems from your buttocks and hips and travels along your sciatic nerve, making it difficult to move. In most cases, sciatica occurs on one side of an individual’s body. It begins on the lower side of your spine and then branches into two nerves, each running down a corresponding thigh. Sciatica symptoms usually range from mild to severe depending on the level of compression and irritation. Sciatica can also radiate to your feet and toes, depending on the location of the affected sciatic nerve.
How can you know that you have sciatica?
You may have sciatica if you experience pain radiating from your buttocks and hips down your legs. Your pain may range from a mild ache to a burning or stabbing sensation that temporarily immobilizes you. In some cases, the pain may occur as an electric shock which may worsen when sitting, especially after prolonged sitting. Other symptoms include:
- Weakness or weakness in the affected leg
- A tingling sensation in your leg or back
- Lower back pain
- Pain in your buttocks
Mild sciatica often resolves without medical intervention, but if the pain persists or worsens, you may need immediate medical attention. If your pain results from a traffic accident or violent injury, you may also need to inform your doctor, and ask for an accurate diagnosis. If sciatica is left untreated, it may lead to complications such as:
- Urinary incontinence or fecal incontinence
- Leg weakness
- Loss of sensation in your leg
What factors contribute to the occurrence of sciatica?
Most sciatica cases occur due to a slip, rupture, or when a vertebral disc in your spinal column compresses your sciatic nerve. Vertebral discs absorb shock waves and prevent your vertebral bones from rubbing against each other. However, your discs disintegrate as you age, causing painful medical conditions like sciatica. Other factors that may contribute to sciatica include:
- A bulged or ruptured disc
- Compressed nerves
- Arthritis
- A narrow spinal canal
- Bone spurs
In some cases, under or overdeveloped gluteus muscles can lead to sciatica.
What are the available treatments for sciatica?
During your appointment at Elite Physical Medicine, the professional team conducts a thorough medical exam to determine the root cause of your sciatica. They may also ask about your symptoms and order additional tests like X-rays if necessary. After determining the underlying cause of your sciatica, the team may recommend several treatment options like:
- Nerve blocks
- Massage therapy
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Therapeutic exercise
- Trigger point injections
Do not allow pain and discomfort resulting from sciatica to prevent you from enjoying life when there are several non-invasive treatments. Call Elite Physical Medicine or book an appointment online for more information about sciatica.
