You Probably Have Sciatica
PAIN, NUMBNESS, OR TINGLING IN THE LEG? RIGHT LEG
Sometimes these "irritations" are actually caused by a pinching of the nerve. This is commonly caused by a HERNIATED or RUPTURED DISC in the lumbar spine. However, it is also frequently caused by DEGENERATIVE DISCS or SPINAL STENOSIS. The pressure or irritation leads to several different symptoms that include radiating leg pain, burning, and/or numbness and tingling. This pain can be characterized as either being sharp and severe or a dull nagging ache (or even both). It is one of the single most common problems that I have treated over the past twenty years in practice.
If HERNIATED or BULGING DISCS are the cause of the problem, it's the herniated jelly center of the disc (Nucleus Pulposus) that pushes out and compresses or pinches the nerves. Sometimes you will see Sciatica diagnosed or referred to as a "radiculopathy ". This is really just a fancier name for Sciatica (the same thing can be seen in the arms when nerves in the neck get pinched or irritated). Sciatica occurs most frequently in people between 30 and 50 years of age. On many occasions this condition slowly develops as a result of SPINAL DEGENERATION.
Rarely does this condition require surgery. In fact, unless there is a rare sort of problem or traumatic injury, the majority of people who experience sciatica get pain relief with conservative treatments --- without the side effects of surgery. NON-SURGICAL SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY, along with CHIROPRACTIC ADJUSTMENTS, COLD LASER THERAPY, and CEREBELLAR REHABILITATION are frequently effective for the underlying causes of sciatica ---- especially when utilized in concert with each other.
One or more of the following sensations may occur as a result of sciatica:
- Pain in the buttocks or leg that is worse when sitting
- Burning down the leg
- Numbness down the leg
- Weakness in the leg, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
- Frequently the leg pain is slightly worse than the back pain.
WARNING WARNING WARNING...........
Symptoms that may constitute a medical emergency include progressive weakness in the leg or a serious loss of bowel control or an inability to pee. If either or both of these occur, seek immediate medical attention!
Oh, and do not confuse PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME (sciatica caused by an injured, chronically overstressed, or SCARRED muscle in the buttock ---- the Piriformis Muscle) with sciatica that is caused by HERNIATED DISCS or DEGENERATIVE DISCS. Although Piriformis Syndrome is not always associated with sciatica, more often than not, it is.
SEE OUR VIDEO TESTIMONIALS ON SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY
If you are wondering if Spinal Decompression therapy might be the answer to your chronic Sciatica, call us at (417) 934-6337 to set up a free, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Schierling to FIND OUT IF YOU ARE A CANDIDATE.