Sciatica and Pinched Nerves

Disc “pinching” a nerve

Sciatica  is any pain that is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, usually caused by a tear in the disc.

When the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause pain, numbness and a tingling sensation that radiates from your lower back and travels down one or both of your legs to your foot and toes (usually down your “bad” side). The pain can range from being mild to very painful, and may be made worse by sneezing, coughing, or sitting for a long period of time. Some people with sciatica may also experience muscle weakness in the affected leg. You should immediately call 999 for an ambulance if you experience loss of sensation between your legs and around your buttocks and/or loss of bladder or bowel control, where a MRI scan should be performed. Although it is rare, these symptoms can be a sign of a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome.

Distribution of pain/tingling

Most people find their sciatic pain goes away naturally within a few weeks, although some cases can last for a year. You GP may prescribe medications for the pain. You may be referred for an MRI scan to confirm the diagnosis.

Four degrees of disc herniation

This does not mean that you should put up with the pain and the impact it has on your quality of life at home, work and with your children. Chiropractic care can help by treating the pathology and dysfunction that contributes to the pain. Importantly, chiropractic care offers a natural and effective means of rehabilitation for your back. It does not involve medications or surgery and may in fact help you avoid surgery by easing your pain.

Chiropractic treats you “holistically” – treating the whole of the body, not just the affected part. By treating the feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis and spine, chiropractic is able to better normalize any dysfunction and correct the faulty biomechanics. This helps relieve additional stresses on already-injured tissues like discs and nerves, thus allowing for better healing and maximal pain relief. Here at The Leeds Back pain centre Pudsey we can help with your pain. Book an assessment today .