Sciatica is a common type of pain which radiates from the lower back, through your bottom, and all the way down your legs and even into your feet. Many people believe that sciatica could only result from some sort of trauma or fall, such as a sports injury or car accident, but this isn’t actually true. Sciatica can also be the result of several other common conditions.
There are five sets of nerves which exit the lower back, on each side, and travel down into the legs. If any of these nerves become impinged, or pinched, irritation and pain is often the result. Conditions that lead to sciatica pain include:
- disc injuries
- herniated discs
- disc bulges
- degenerative disc disease
- lower back injuries of various types
- repetitive use injuries (such as from sports, but not necessarily from athletic activities)
- poor posture
- overuse of lower back muscles
As you can see from the above list, sciatica is not always the result of a sudden injury. It can happen to anyone, simply from engaging in various repetitive motions and even postural problems.
Signs of sciatica include pain down your legs, numbness, weakness in your legs, and difficulty walking without significant amount of pain.
If you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, give us a call to schedule an appointment. We can evaluate you for sciatica, identify the underlying cause of the pain, and help you put together a plan for treatment.