Do you have lower back pain or pain literally in the rear that runs down into one thigh or below the knee into the leg and even the foot? A doctor may diagnose these symptoms as sciatica, which describes compression of the sciatic nerve.
Sensations include:
Depending on the nerve that is affected pain could radiate only into the buttock or all the way down to the foot. A common cause is a lumbar disc herniation or bone spur that presses down on the spinal nerve. Sciatic pain radiates along the nerve, usually from the low back, down the buttocks, into the thigh and leg, below the knee and sometimes into the foot and big toe.
Sciatica usually affects one side of the body.
Contents
A doctor may use the terms radicular pain or radiculopathy when talking about sciatica. Radiculopathy is pain/adverse sensation that travels along a nerve. When a spinal nerve root is compressed, pinched or injured, it becomes inflamed. Low back conditions that can contribute to this type of problem are spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis or herniated disc.
The doctor will ask about your symptoms:
A doctor might perform a straight-leg test to see if there is an inflamed nerve. This is a simple exam where you lie on your back and the doctor lifts each leg. If this causes or produces pain and sensations, it can indicate there is a bulging/slipped or ruptured disc.
The compression of the nerve can also cause muscle weakness in the foot. Another exam may be to walk like you normally do, then on your heels and finally on your toes. This checks your balance and lower-body strength.
A doctor may order x-rays, CT scan or MRI.
The CT scan or MRI provides doctors with various images of your spine which can help in diagnosing whatever is causing your symptoms. These tests are then compared to what the doctor took note of during your medical history interview and the physical and neurological examinations. An accurate diagnosis is the first step in figuring out the best treatment plan.
Only a doctor can tell if your symptoms are sciatica. There are other structures in the spine that can cause similar types of pain.
Sciatica can be treated non-surgically with:
Patients with sciatica feel better with time, usually a few weeks. If pain continues, other treatment modalities can be discussed. Muscle spasms can accompany sciatica symptoms and can be treated with heat or ice therapy. A doctor may advise light exercise like short walks and once recovery is established they may give you exercises to strengthen your back and core.
Please contact our chiropractic team today to schedule an appointment if you are experiencing symptoms of sciatica.�We are ready to help you feel better and get back on your feet again.
A study cited by the health magazine�Prevention�found that sixty percent of sciatica sufferers who failed to get relief from other treatments found their symptoms improved after chiropractic care. In fact, they got the same level of relief as those who went through surgery � without any of the serious side effects that so often come with surgical procedures.
Chiropractic is effective for treating sciatica because it gets to the source of the problem � relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Professional Scope of Practice *
The information herein on "Sciatica and Nerve Related Back and Leg Pain El Paso, TX." is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
Blog Information & Scope Discussions
Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.
We are here to help you and your family.
Blessings
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
My Digital Business Card
Stress on the lower back during pregnancy often leads to back (upper, middle, lower), sciatica,… Read More
Can melatonin help many individuals dealing with sleep issues and help them stay asleep longer… Read More
For older individuals looking for a workout that can help improve overall fitness, can kettlebell… Read More
Can choosing the right pillow help many individuals with neck pain get a full night's… Read More
What is the recommended way to choose a mattress for individuals with back pain? … Read More
Can non-surgical treatments help individuals with piriformis syndrome reduce referred sciatica pain and help restore… Read More