What is Sciatica?

Sciatic pain affects many people everyday, and commonly the pain pattern can mislead you to believe you are suffering from a leg or buttock condition. Spine-Health describes sciatica as- “Sciatica is a term used to describe the symptoms of leg pain and possibly tingling, numbness or weakness that travels down the low back down via the sciatic nerve in the back of the leg. Sciatica (sometimes known as radiculopathy) is a description of symptoms, not a diagnosis. A herniated disc, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis can all cause sciatica, but it's up to a patient and his or her doctor to determine the proper course of action. For some people, sciatica pain can be severe and debilitating. For others, the sciatica symptoms might be infrequent and irritating, but have the potential to get worse.

Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the lower body and the pain often radiates from the lower back all the way through the back of the thigh and down through the leg.

Common Sciatica Symptoms

Low back pain may be present along with the leg pain, but typically the leg pain is markedly more severe than the low back pain. Some combination of the following symptoms is common:

• Lower back pain, if experienced at all, is not as severe as leg pain
• Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg, but rarely both the right and left sides
• Pain that originates 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 patients lie down or are walking, but worsens when standing or sitting
• Pain that is typically described as sharp or searing, rather than dull
• Some experience a “pins-and-needles” sensation, numbness or weakness, or a prickling sensation down the leg”

Chiropractic care is one treatment option which has been shown to provide effective sciatic pain relief.  After examination and accurate diagnosis, a personalized treatment plan is developed for each patient according to their specific needs.  At Florida Orthopaedic Institute our goal is not only to reduce your pain, but also to keep you active.

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