Sciatic pain can be one of the worst kind of back pains to experience. If you suffer from sciatic pain, you’ll want to know what’s causing it in order to treat it correctly.
First of all, let’s look at common symptoms of sciatica. According to our Fareham chiropractor, you may be suffering from sciatic pain if you experience any (or a combination) of the following:
- Constant pain in one side of the buttock or leg, but rarely in both sides.
- Pain that starts in the low back or buttock and continues along the path of the sciatic nerve – down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg and foot
- Pain that feels better when you lie down or are walking, but worsens when standing or sitting.
- Pain that you’d describe as sharp or searing, rather than dull
- A “pins-and-needles” sensation, numbness or weakness, or a prickling sensation down your leg
- Weakness or numbness when moving your leg or foot
- Severe or shooting pain in one leg, making it difficult to stand up or walk
- Pain and other symptoms in your toes
- Lower back pain that, if experienced at all, is not as severe as leg pain
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned above, it’s important that you visit your GP or chiropractor so that a proper diagnosis can be made. Whereas there are many causes of sciatica, three of the most common include:
Lumbar herniated disc
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner material of the disc leaks out through the fibrous outer core and irritates or contiguous nerve root. Sciatic pain is the most common symptom of a lumbar herniated disc.
Degenerative disc disease
While a certain amount of disc degeneration comes with the natural aging process, one or more degenerated discs in the lumbar spine can also irritate a nerve root and cause sciatica.
Bone spurs, which may develop as a result of spinal degeneration, can also press against a nerve, which can result in sciatica.
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
Irritation of the sacroiliac joint, which is located at the bottom of the spine, can also irritate the L5 nerve and cause sciatic pain.
Remember that sciatica is a symptom of a condition and not a condition in itself, so in order to get it properly treated, it’s important to find out exactly what’s causing it.
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