Could Your Leg Pain Actually Be Sciatica? | Dahl Family Chiropractic

Unfortunately, if you are experiencing the above leg discomfort, you may not be suffering from just a sore muscle or tendon. Instead, there is a chance you could have sciatica, which refers to a herniated disc or bone spur of the spine that is rubbing against one of the nerves. This causes a radiating pain which you feel in your legs.

While sciatica pain can be severe at times, you will typically experience discomfort sporadically, depending on your physical activity. Many times, people live with sciatica and adjust their daily routines to avoid aggravating their lower back. However, if you are not finding any relief, there are some treatments you should consider before jumping to medication or surgery.

Read on to learn more about sciatica, the common causes, and how chiropractic treatment may provide long-lasting relief.

As mentioned above, sciatica is the result of a herniated disc or bone spur of the spine. Any misalignments that occur in the spinal column lead to a narrowing of the spine, otherwise known as spinal stenosis or a narrowing of the spine. This causes the bones to press up against nerves, leading to the pain known as sciatica. 

Although most people with sciatica feel the pain in their legs, this is not where the pain originates. It is the sciatic nerve that is responsible, which starts in your lower back and branches out down your legs and through your buttocks. The resulting irritation from the spinal stenosis will travel down the sciatic nerve path and into one of the legs. 

While there is no one set thing you can do to cause sciatica, there are multiple risk factors that can make somebody more likely to develop this condition. Age is the number one factor, as the older a person gets, the weaker their spine becomes. Older people tend to lose a lot of cartilage in their spine that acts as a shock absorber, and once this happens, herniated discs can occur and nerve damage may be the result.

Diabetes is another risk factor, as this condition causes nerve damage. This nerve damage may occur in the lower back or pelvic area, leading to sciatica. Obesity can also make an individual more likely to develop this condition, due to the extra weight that person is carrying. This will add to the pressure on the spine, leading to a quickened deterioration of the cartilage and putting that person at increased risk of nerve pain.

Anyone suffering from sciatica will notice some trademark symptoms, the primary one being radiating pain from the lower back. Additionally, the pain can sometimes be dull and aching, and in more severe cases, sharp and akin to a burning sensation. 

While sciatica is rarely caused by a single action on your part, there is no defined cure for the condition either. Sciatica treatment runs the gamut from surgery to acupuncture. However, one of the proven methods that many sufferers of sciatica swear by is chiropractic treatment.

A chiropractor is a medical professional, trained in the musculoskeletal structure. Through several techniques and adjustments, a chiropractor will be able to locate the origin of your sciatica and adjust your spine to relieve the pressure against the nerve. Regular appointments with a chiropractor are recommended to ensure the spine is constantly being adjusted and aligned properly.

Are you ready to relieve the chronic pain of sciatica, and get back to doing the things you love? If so, then it's time to consult with a chiropractor and take the first step to a better quality of life.

The chiropractors at Dahl Family Chiropractic, located in Madison, WI, are ready to meet with you today and provide an initial assessment of your pain. Together, you will work to create a treatment plan that fits your needs and schedule. 

Give us a call at 608-829-0074, or book your first appointment by filling out the contact form on our website.