At IHD, we call sciatica “the sly magician” because it tends to take so many different forms. People often perceive sciatica as a kind of nerve pain that goes down the leg. However, sciatic pain can sometimes be mild (pins and needles sensation) and at other times be very severe (burning, piercing and even stabbing pains). It can affect one or both legs and may also have a tendency to switch from side to side. Sometimes it may start off for months as low back pain before it manifests as sciatica. The medical standard of care usually consists of bed rest or medication in the form of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS). However, researchers in the New England Medical Journal concluded that bed rest showed no evidence for effective treatment of sciatica (NEJM 1999; 340:418). Furthermore, NSAIDs over time can have drastic consequences. Instead of trying to suppress the symptoms of sciatic pain, at IHD we aim to focus on the underlying cause of the sciatica. Here are four potential causes to explore.
- Vertebral and Sacroiliac subluxations: These two conditions occur as a result of misaligned spinal bones or pelvis. When these areas are even slightly out of place, these joints lose their ability to move through full range of motion and irritates muscles, discs and nerve roots to cause sciatic pain.
- Herniated Disc: The spine a very durable design in part because of the disc that lie in between each of the spinal bones. These disc act like shock absorbers for the body to take the impact of trauma and everyday movement. If you take care of your spine like you do the shocks on your car, these discs can last a lifetime. However, if the disc are allowed to wear, tear and degenerate over time, the soft center of the disc eventually begins to bulge off to one side. This results in herniation of the disc and irritation to the sciatic nerve.
- Piriformis Syndrome: The piriformis are two muscles that extend along two separate sides of the lower buttock. The sciatic nerve travels beneath the piriformis muscle on their way down the back of the leg. Piriformis syndrome results when the muscle becomes inflamed, forcing pressure on the sciatic nerve and trapping it between the bones of the pelvis.
- Stress: When the body accumulates excess stress from traumas we endure, the toxins in our diet, or the way we handle stress, sciatic pain can often be a natural language the body uses to signal its distress. Controlling these stresses will be key to handling this type of sciatic pain.
If you or someone you know currently has back or leg pain, it is vital to avoid self diagnosis. Sciatica is a general term for these types of problems, but the origin of the problem may lie in the sciatic nerve root or may be related to another cause, unconnected to the sciatic nerve. Through proper diagnosis, practical lifestyle strategies, exercises, self education and chiropractic care, we can help you get a grip on these problems before they become too severe. Let us help you find the root cause of the problem. Call us today!