Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, is a type of back and leg pain that occurs when something irritates or pinches the sciatic nerve on one side of your body. Sciatica is not an illness in and of itself -- it is usually a symptom of some other issue, such as a herniated disk or spinal stenosis. This condition can be quite painful, or it can be mild. Here are the top five most common symptoms caused by sciatica.
The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back through your buttocks and down the back of each leg. If the nerve is irritated, the pain can radiate part or all of the way down to your calf.
Since the sciatic nerve starts in the lower back, it can cause back pain in addition to leg pain.
Sometimes sciatic pain can radiate all the way down the leg to your foot. This may hurt, or it may just feel like a pins-and-needles sensation in your toes.
Sciatica can cause the affected leg to feel numb. You may have difficulty moving it. If you're experiencing lower-body numbness, see your doctor to rule out more serious causes.
Sciatic pain typically only affects one leg. If both of your legs hurt, something else may be to blame.
While sciatica is rarely dangerous, it can negatively impact your quality of life. Fortunately, sciatica can usually be treated through chiropractic care and lifestyle adjustments. Take the first step towards resolving your sciatic pain by making your appointment with our Birmingham AL practice today.
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