Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Answers Questions on Sciatica
If you have numbness or tingling in your back or legs, you may wonder what's wrong with you. These symptoms are nerve-related and occur when you have a condition known as sciatica. At Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, serving Imperial, MO, and the surrounding area.
What Exactly Is Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs due to constriction of the sciatic nerve. This particular nerve is the largest one in the body, and it runs through the lower portion of your back and down each one of your legs. When the nerve has damage or is pinched, it causes symptoms like numbness or tingling that can happen anywhere along the sciatic nerve. It isn't a condition though; it classifies as a symptom of a condition or injury.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica causes pain, numbness, weakness, tingling. or burning. The pain may range from mild to an extreme, sharp one. It may intensify when you sit for prolonged periods of time or are standing up. Generally, sciatica only occurs in one side of your body at a time.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica can occur as the result of an injury to the sciatic nerve, but the most common reason for it is a herniated disc. This particular condition occurs when a disc in your back has a tear in the outside of it. The contents push toward the walls, and when it does, it can leak into the spinal canal and irritate the sciatic nerve. Degenerative disc disease may be the cause of lumbar spinal stenosis, which is when the spinal canal narrows and places pressure on the sciatic nerve. You could also have degenerative disc disease, which is a condition that causes the discs to change as a result of age. Pregnancy can cause sciatica either during the first or third trimester. If you lead a sedentary lifestyle or are overweight, your sciatica may worsen.
How Does Our Chiropractor Diagnose Sciatica?
Once our chiropractor obtains data about your medical history, we discuss your current symptoms, lifestyle, and anything else specifically pertaining to your condition. Our chiropractor will conduct a physical examination of your lower back and legs and will test the strength and reflexes of the area. Often, this is enough to know you have sciatica. However, in some cases, our chiropractor may perform imaging like a CT or MRI in order to evaluate the sciatic nerve for any pressure on it like bone spurs.
How Does Our Chiropractor Treat Sciatica?
Our chiropractor may treat sciatica using a chiropractor adjustment. Our chiropractor may perform exercise therapy or recommend exercise or lifestyle changes to help.
Contact Our Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation in Imperial, MO!
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Paul Amato at Advanced Family Chiropractic & Rehabilitation, serving Imperial, MO, and the surrounding area, by calling (636) 464-5900 or by using our contact form.
