Sciatica Basics: Causes, Symptoms and When to Get Help

Quick answer: Sciatica is pain, weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg caused by pressure on or damage to the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It usually starts in the lower back and runs down one leg. Common causes include a herniated disk and narrowing of the spinal canal. Most cases get better without surgery, but new leg weakness, numbness or loss of bladder or bowel control need care right away. In Bedford, Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford examines and treats sciatica as part of our back care.

The medical background below comes from MedlinePlus, the consumer health site of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

What is sciatica?

MedlinePlus describes sciatica as a symptom, not a medical condition by itself: it is a sign of a problem with the sciatic nerve. That nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg. It controls muscles in the back of the knee and lower leg, and it provides feeling to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg and the sole of the foot. When the nerve is irritated or compressed, you feel it along that path.

What does sciatica feel like?

It varies a lot. MedlinePlus says it can feel like mild tingling, a dull ache or a burning sensation, and in some cases the pain is severe enough to make it hard to move. It is most often on one side. Some people have sharp pain in one part of the leg or hip and numbness in another, and the pain or numbness may reach the back of the calf or the sole of the foot.

What causes sciatica?

Cause	What it means
Herniated or slipped disk	A spinal disk bulges or ruptures and presses on the nerve root
Spinal stenosis	The spinal canal narrows and puts pressure on the nerve
Piriformis syndrome	A narrow muscle in the buttock irritates the nerve
Pelvic injury or fracture	Trauma, such as a fall or crash, injures the area around the nerve
Spondylolisthesis	One vertebra slips forward over the one below it

Can a car accident cause sciatica?

It can. MedlinePlus lists a sudden jolt such as a car accident among the causes of back injuries, with herniated disks among the common ones, and it lists pelvic injury or fracture among the causes of sciatica. If your leg pain started after a wreck, see our car accident care page and read back and neck pain after a car accident.

How is sciatica usually treated?

Because sciatica is a symptom, the first step is finding the cause. MedlinePlus says that in most cases no surgery is needed and recovery comes with conservative, non-surgical treatment; surgery is usually the last resort. Common early steps include ice for the first 48 to 72 hours and then heat, and MedlinePlus says bed rest is not recommended.

At Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford, care starts with a consultation and examination. Dr. Richard Chatfield, D.C. then builds a plan to take pressure off the nerve, which may include chiropractic adjustments, lumbar spinal decompression for herniated or bulging discs and stenosis, soft tissue therapy, therapeutic exercises and stretches, and acupuncture. One patient’s Google review says Dr. Chatfield “helped get my sciatic nerve pain under control.”

What happens at an exam?

MedlinePlus says a provider will start with a physical exam, which can include checking strength and reflexes and whether lifting your straight leg while lying down causes pain. Imaging is not always needed; when it is, it may include x-rays or an MRI of the spine. At our clinic, x-rays are taken in the office when your condition calls for them, and if something needs a medical doctor or a surgeon, we will tell you and refer you.

When should you get help right away?

MedlinePlus says to contact a provider right away for:

• Weakness or numbness in your buttocks, thigh, leg or pelvis
• Loss of control of urine or stool
• Back pain after a severe blow or fall
• Pain traveling down your legs below the knee
• Severe pain that does not let you get comfortable
• Unexplained fever with back pain

Loss of bladder or bowel control is a reason to go to an emergency room. Chiropractic care is not emergency care.

Does sciatica come back?

MedlinePlus notes that sciatica often gets better on its own, but it is common for it to return. Strong back and core muscles help, which is why the home exercises and stretches we give you matter after the pain settles. If it keeps coming back, it is worth finding out why.

Why choose Back & Neck Care Center of Bedford for sciatica care?

Leg pain, hip pain and low back pain often come in together, and our back pain care is built to sort out which is which. Dr. Chatfield’s continuing education includes Low Back Orthopedics and the Evaluation and Management of Hip Disorders, and he consults with medical colleagues on serious or complicated cases. We accept most insurance and do all the paperwork.

We are at 2803 Central Dr in Bedford, by appointment. Call (817) 283-6100 or request an appointment.

This article is general information, not medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.