Sciatica
Many people refer to leg pain as Sciatica, however there are many causes of leg pain and it is important that yours is diagnosed correctly to ensure you receive the most suitable treatment. Leg pain is often caused by a trapped nerve. Pain is experienced when there is too much pressure (compression) on a nerve root or its surrounding tissue, such as that caused by a bulging disc. Disc bulges can vary in severity and are also known as:-
Slipped disc
Prolapsed disc
Herniated disc
It can lead to pain, weakness, numbness or tingling sensation from the back to the buttocks, down to the leg / calf and in some cases as far as the feet / toes.
Sciatica can be a sign of a more serious problem with the spine.
The lowest discs in the spine are the most vulnerable as they carry the most weight and there is a narrowing of one of the most important ligaments here. The mechanical stress at this level is high due to the transition between the mobile lumbar spine and immobile pelvis.
When experiencing Sciatic symptoms the worst thing to have is numbness and weakness, not pain. When a nerve is first compressed we feel pain (from the inflamed nerve), but the longer the pressure remains (or if the compression is very severe) we experience one or a number of the following – numbness, weakness, tingling, pins and needles, muscle paralysis etc. Interestingly you may not even have a sore back. If the compression is not removed quickly, this can cause permanent problems. Unfortunately, it is quite common for leg pain, sciatic nerve irritation and disc bulges to be misdiagnosed. Pressure on the sciatic nerve is normally caused by a disc herniation or slipped disc.
KH Chiropractic Rockbeare and Cranbrook
If you are ready to take your first steps towards recovery why not call and book an ‘Initial Chiropractic Consultation’ to find out the cause of your back, neck and or leg pain. Call us on 01392 984959 or email at info@khchiropractic.com
