
With more than 40% of people experiencing sciatica at some point in their lives, we at DuPage Integrative Medicine understand the importance of providing genuine solutions for your pain, free from the reliance on harmful drugs or invasive surgery.
For those enduring that burning, sharp, radiating pain that travels from your lower back to your buttocks and possibly all the way down to your toes, we are here to offer assistance.
We’re well aware of how relentless and debilitating sciatic pain can be. Often, you’re left feeling helpless as the pain persists, despite your earnest attempts to rest, stretch, and move cautiously.
At our Naperville, IL based DuPage Integrative Medicine, we believe that you deserve to break free from the grip of pain now. Our highly skilled medical doctors are committed to helping you pinpoint the cause of your sciatica and guiding you back to a life of vitality, all without resorting to harmful drugs or surgical procedures.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is a specific form of radiculopathy, characterized by radiating nerve pain. The term “sciatica” pertains to the pain that travels along the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body, originates in the lower back, courses through the hips and buttocks, and extends down the leg.
What Triggers Sciatica?
Sciatica typically arises when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, compressed, irritated, or inflamed, resulting in pain that typically radiates from the buttocks or gluteal region down the leg. Depending on the severity of nerve involvement, the pain can even reach the feet and toes.
A primary cause of sciatic pain is often a herniated disc that exerts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Learn more about herniated disc pain [link to herniated disc article].
Additionally, several conditions can lead to irritation of the sciatic nerve due to the narrowed spinal passage through which the nerve traverses. These conditions encompass:
- Osteoarthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Vertebral misalignment
- Spinal compression
- Bone spurs
- Scoliosis
- Bulging discs
- Herniated discs
Other contributing factors to sciatica may include:
- Limited core strength
- Diabetes
- Smoking
- Prolonged sitting
- Strenuous work
- Heavy lifting
- Sciatic
- Sciatica Symptoms
Sciatic pain typically manifests as an intense, shooting pain that travels from the lower back through the buttocks and into the leg. Depending on the severity of the condition, the pain can extend all the way to the calf, foot, or toes.
While the sciatic nerves run down each leg, sciatica symptoms usually affect only one leg at a time. The pain can radiate and be felt throughout the entire length of the sciatic nerve or be localized to specific segments.
The pain experienced can vary from person to person, ranging from a mild ache to a sharp or burning sensation. Numbness and tingling sensations are also common, often accompanied by what some describe as an “electric jolt” of pain.
In severe cases, individuals may experience muscle weakness, loss of bladder and/or bowel control, and a condition known as drop foot.
Can Piriformis Syndrome Cause Sciatica?
The piriformis is a small muscle situated in the buttock, positioned directly over the sciatic nerve.
Piriformis syndrome arises when this muscle tightens excessively, spasms, or swells due to injury or irritation. In such cases, the sciatic nerve can also become irritated, resulting in sciatic pain.
Treating Sciatica
If your sciatica persists beyond a couple of weeks or worsens, it’s advisable to seek medical treatment.
Suffering for an extended period, waiting for the pain to subside, is unnecessary. When your quality of life is compromised by sciatic pain, it’s time to seek assistance.
At DuPage Integrative Medicine, we’re dedicated to helping the community regain a pain-free life as swiftly as possible, without resorting to harmful drugs or surgeries.
In our physical medicine clinic in Naperville, IL , our doctors perform a comprehensive examination and diagnosis to formulate a personalized treatment plan designed to address your sciatic pain.
Treatment approaches may include:
- Lumbar traction
- Trigger point injections
- Targeted strengthening and stretching exercises
- Postural realignment using Chiropractic BioPhysics
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments
- Regenerative therapies