How do you Know if you have Sciatica?

Suggestive indicators if you have sciatica range from an inability to get up from a lying or sitting position and pricking of the bones in your hip, feet, buttocks and legs to a numbing feeling in the lower parts of your body. When we talk about sciatica or identify them in the bodies of affected individuals, we focus on these areas of the body which are the usually affected regions:

• The feet (sole, toes).
• The leg.
• The lower back.

However, it should be noted that even though the sciatic nerve begins from the lower back, sciatica delivers more pain to the legs than it does to the lower back.

Some Causes of Sciatica

For a nerve which starts its journey from the lower back side of your body down to your hips and all the way down to both sides of your feet, the sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body. As we mentioned earlier, sciatica occurs as a result of injuries and/or irritations. Suggestive indicators if you have sciatica range from an inability to get up from a lying or sitting position and pricking of the bones in your hip, buttocks, feet and legs to a numbing feeling in the lower parts of your body. At the top of the list, between home remedies and seeing a doctor, taking over the counter pain relief medication which should provide the relaxation and relief you need from the nerve pain comes top.

How does sciatic nerve pain happen?

As we mentioned earlier, sciatica occurs as a result of irritations and/or injuries. Here are other events/factors that lead to sciatica:

• The narrowing of the spinal canal which then constricts the space meant for the nerves and the spinal cord introduces sciatica to the body. This could happen as a result of the discs experiencing wear and tear.
• Pressure from slipped discs.
• Accidents and physical violence or abuse intentionally or unintentionally targeted at the sciatic nerve.
• Tightness of the buttocks muscles as well.

Possible Treatments for Sciatica

At the top of the list, between home remedies and seeing a doctor, taking over the counter pain relief medication which should provide the relaxation and relief you need from the nerve pain comes top. For starters, it is one treatment to consider before deciding to try out the others.

There are also stretching exercises which help: standing hamstring stretch, sitting hamstring stretch, sitting pigeon pose and others; these exercises last below 10 minutes per set and are comfortable to do without causing more unease. You will begin feeling the positive effects from any of these exercises immediately.

The third option if the mild OTC pain relief medications do not have any or significant effects would be to get stronger relief medications.

If symptoms persist, then it is time to visit a doctor of chiropractic for massages, cold water therapy or ice and heat therapy for your pains. Beyond seeing a doctor of chiropractic – and if the nerve pain lasts over a quarter – it may be time to visit a doctor so that you can be scheduled for a surgery or have an oriental treatment (acupuncture) done on the pressure areas of your body where the sciatic nerve lives. Here are the top 5 chiropractors in your area.