If you have lower back pain that shoots down either leg, you may be suffering from sciatica symptoms. Sciatica is a condition that affects your sciatic nerve. This nerve is located in your lower back and branches out through your hips and buttocks and trails down both legs. Sciatica typically only affects one side of your body or the other, but most forms of sciatica cause lower back pain. If you suffer from this painful condition, OPRI Health can help.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by compressed nerves. It could be due to a herniated disc, a bone spur, or a condition called spinal stenosis that causes the spine to become more narrow. Regardless of why the nerve becomes compressed, pain results and can settle in your lower back. This may cause tingling, or numbness in your leg as well.
Some things can make sciatica worse, such as sitting for long periods of time or the sudden movements caused by coughing or sneezing. If you're suffering from sciatica, booking an appointment with OPRI Health can help alleviate your pain without the need for surgery.
Causes of Sciatica
Several factors commonly contribute to sciatica, including:
Normal aging
Sedentary lifestyle
An occupation that requires regular bending, lifting, or sitting
Obesity
Diabetes
Injury or trauma such as that caused by sports injuries
Fortunately, surgery is often not the only treatment that relieves the pain of sciatica. Chiropractic adjustments at OPRI Health can be extremely beneficial in relieving lower back pain and pain associated with sciatica, especially in sciatica caused by injuries such as those that happen during football, hockey, or other contact sports. Simple spinal manipulations and adjustments can help realign vertebrae and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. As a result, you'll feel better and have improved mobility.
