If you have been dealing with pain that radiates from your lower back down through your leg, you may be dealing with a condition known as sciatica. In most cases, sciatica only impacts a single side of the body, and can involve anything ranging from some light tingling and numbness to significant pain. The good news is that treatment can be relatively simple, and many cases are easily resolved with exercises and stretching.
Read on to learn more about sciatica and what you can do to relieve it.
What Causes Sciatica?
The vast majority of sciatica cases are caused by a nerve that has been pinched, or “manually compressed” in medical terms. More often than not, a problem like a herniated disc or something like the presence of a bone spur is causing the compression that ultimately leads to sciatica, which also involves the presence of renegade inflammation.
Some individuals who are suffering from sciatica also report having significant weakness in the affected leg, as well as changes to their bowel or bladder patterns. In these more severe cases, surgical intervention might be the best option.
Common Symptoms of Sciatica
The typical case of sciatica will begin with pain that starts near your lower back, in an area referred to as the lumbar. One of the most common symptoms involves pain that runs from the lumbar down the back of the leg, but individuals dealing with this condition can experience pain at any point along the nerve’s length.
Sometimes the pain is simply a soft ache, while in other cases it can be outright excruciating. This will depend on the severity of your case, and also its specific root cause. It’s almost always the case that only one side of the body is impacted by sciatica.
Long Island Spine Specialists Can Help
If you think that you may be dealing with sciatica, our talented team of spine specialists can help you resolve your issue and find the relief you deserve. To learn more about how we can help you, simply reach out to our office and set up your consultation with a member of our helpful staff today!
