Do you actually have sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition that affects many people and causes intense lower back and leg pain. It is important to understand the symptoms of sciatica to know what causes it, and to distinguish it from similar conditions that may mimic its symptoms. We see many people come in complaining of sciatica when actually, it’s not sciatica at all! 

So, what is sciatica?

Sciatica is pain that starts in the lower back and extends down the legs. It is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body and runs from the lower back down to the legs. The sciatic nerve is responsible for transmitting signals from the spinal cord to the legs and feet, so when it is compressed or irritated, it can cause intense pain, numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the legs and feet. Sciatica may also be referred to as lumbosacral radicular syndrome, neuralgia, and nerve root entrapment (1).

What causes sciatica?

The most common cause of sciatica is a herniated disc, which occurs when the soft centre of a spinal disc pushes out and compresses the sciatic nerve. This is very common in people who spend long periods sitting at a desk or do a lot of heavy lifting. Other causes of sciatica include spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spinal canal that can compress the sciatic nerve, spondylolisthesis, and degenerative disc disease, which is a condition that occurs when the discs between the vertebrae begin to break down and cause irritation to the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms of sciatica

The most common symptoms of sciatica include:

  • Intense lower back and leg pain

  • Numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the legs and feet

  • A burning or sharp pain that radiates from the lower back down to the legs

  • Difficulty standing up, walking, or sitting down

Conditions that seem like sciatica but aren't

While sciatica is a common condition, other conditions can cause similar symptoms and are often mistaken as sciatica. The most common we see at our Perth chiropractic clinic are:

  • Piriformis syndrome: A condition in which the piriformis muscle, located in the buttock, tightens due to injury or pelvic imbalance and may cause similar symptoms to sciatica.

  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction: Too much or too little movement in the sacroiliac joints sends pain down your legs, mimicking sciatica symptoms.

Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica

Your chiropractor will assess your symptoms to diagnose you correctly and rule out any potentially nasty causes. If we suspect that you have sciatica, we can help relieve symptoms and treat you. If we can’t or we suspect some further investigation is needed, we will recommend a visit to your GP, where they can perform a physical examination and may also order imaging tests, such as an MRI, to diagnose the cause of your symptoms.

Treatment for sciatica depends on the underlying cause of the condition. Chiropractic care can assist with relieving symptoms that mimic sciatica or treat sciatica itself. Our team might recommend natural supplements to aid pain relief and promote healing, as well as hot and cold therapy in conjunction with our conservative physical treatments.
In severe cases, referral to a specialist may be necessary, but most people we see don’t need this option.

Get your sciatica-like symptoms sorted at Canning Healthcare

Our friendly team will be able to help identify, treat and manage your pain so you can get back to enjoying life! Visit our Perth chiropractors to learn more about relieving lower back pain today.

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