The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body; it runs from the hip through the buttocks and down each leg. It branches off into several small sections that control leg muscles and feeling in thighs. Pain and numbness anywhere along the sciatic nerve pain are typically diagnosed as sciatica. There are non-surgical ways to treat sciatic nerve pain symptoms; a gentle treatment is through chiropractic care.
Sciatic nerve pain symptoms
Pain that radiates from the back down the length of the leg is the most prominent symptom of sciatic nerve pain. Pain is along any of the nerve branches, but typically it follows the longest branch from the back all the way down to the ankle.
The pain varies in individuals; some feel a dull ache while others feel an excruciating sharp pain. The sciatic nerve pain is described as an electric shock at times. Coughing, sneezing, or sitting for long amounts of time aggravates the symptoms and causes more irritation. One side of the lower body is usually affected more; sometimes only one side is affected.
Numbness, tingling, weakness in one leg or foot may also indicate you have sciatica. Sciatic nerve pain symptoms can manifest as weakness in one part of the leg, but excruciating pain in another part of that same leg.
Causes of sciatic nerve pain
The sciatic nerve becomes pinched with degenerative spinal conditions such as a herniated disc, a bone spur, or severe lower back misalignment. These conditions put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Rarely is it caused by a tumor or diabetes, but that may also be a factor in how the body works, and it can cause the sciatic nerve to pinch together.
Injuries like a pelvis fracture or trauma to the thighs also cause sciatica. Muscles near the nerve can put prolonged internal pressure on the sciatic nerve; this can cause sciatic nerve pain.
Sciatic nerve pain treatment
Sciatic nerve pain symptoms in Garden City, MI can be gently resolved using chiropractic services. Chiropractors need to determine what is causing the nerve inflammation before they choose the best treatment. Adjustments made to the lower back can resolve the sciatic pain. Future adjustments may be needed to continue to heal the sciatic nerve and surrounding muscles.
The body is engaged in a combination of stretches and deep tissue massages of the back thigh muscle when treated using with chiropractic care. When the surrounding muscles are being massaged, the sciatic nerve experiences relief. Long strokes at the back of the thighs will gently stretch out the muscle causing a majority of the pressure to cease.
Althea Carter is an aspiring writer and storyteller from Kentucky. Her passion for literature and storytelling began at a young age, and now she is an avid blogger and author, sharing her experiences and stories with readers from around the world. When she’s not creating content for her blog, Althea loves nothing more than exploring the complexities of the human experience through theatre, reading, painting, and travelling. She hopes her words and art can inspire others to create, explore, and experience the world around them.