Top 5 Most Common Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It is made up of five nerve roots, two come from the lumbar area and three from the sacrum. Two sciatic nerves one on each side of the body run down the leg from hip to right below the knee. At Back on Track in Chiropractic in Birmingham, we understand how painful sciatic nerve pain is and we are here to help relieve that pain.

If you are experiencing any of these following five symptoms, you may be suffering from sciatica.

Severe leg or lower back pain

The pain of sciatica can be quite excruciating. It often radiates from the lower back over the buttocks and down one or the other of your legs. It's rarely found in more than one leg at a time, but depending on where the injury is, sciatica can affect both sides of a person's lower body.

Numbness in the foot

Numbness in the foot is one of the more common symptoms of sciatica. It may make it difficult to walk and maintain good balance.

Muscle weakness in your leg

The sciatic nerves control the muscles in the lower legs. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, pain and weakness can result in your leg.

Tingling

Some people who suffer from sciatica experience a sensation of tingling in their feet and toes. It is often described as pins and needles.

Increase in pain when sitting for too long

Given the fact that compression of the spinal discs is one of the main causes of sciatica, it is not surprising that sitting for long periods of time causes more pain. Sitting increases the pressure on spinal discs by as much as 300 percent.

At Back on Track in Chiropractic in Birmingham, Dr. Duca wants to free his patients from pain. He can help you to relieve the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain. If you live in Birmingham, Mountain Brook, Homewood, or Vestavia Hills, give us a call at 205-623-5782 for an appointment.