What Is Sciatica? Symptoms, Causes and How Chiropractic Care Can Help

A sharp pain shoots from your buttock down the back of your leg. Maybe your foot starts tingling after you've been sitting for a while. Or perhaps you've noticed a burning sensation that seems to travel from your lower back toward your calf.

You might immediately wonder: Is this sciatica?

Sciatica can be confusing because it isn't simply another name for lower back pain. In fact, some people with sciatica barely notice their back at all. The leg pain is what bothers them most.

The difference comes down to the nerve.

Sciatica happens when a nerve connected to the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. This can create pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg.

At Spinology Chiropractic Spine and Disc Center in San Antonio, TX, we help patients better understand their symptoms and explore personalized chiropractic and non-surgical spine care options.

What Exactly Is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It is formed from nerve roots that leave the lower part of your spine and eventually travel through the buttock and down the leg.

When one of these nerve roots becomes irritated or compressed, you can develop the group of symptoms commonly called sciatica.

That's why sciatica isn't really a diagnosis on its own. It's a description of symptoms caused by irritation affecting nerves in the lower back.

Some people experience mild tingling. Others describe sharp, electric-like pain that makes sitting, walking, driving, or sleeping uncomfortable.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica begins when a nerve root in the lower spine becomes irritated or compressed, but several different problems can lead to that irritation.

A Herniated Disc

A herniated disc is one of the better-known causes of sciatica.

Your spinal discs sit between the bones of your spine and act like cushions. If part of a disc pushes outward, it can sometimes irritate a nearby nerve.

When that nerve connects to the sciatic nerve, symptoms may travel down the leg. You might experience burning pain through the buttock, tingling in the calf, or numbness in part of the foot.

Changes Around the Lower Spine

As we get older, the joints, discs, and other structures around the spine naturally change.

Sometimes those changes reduce the amount of space available around a nerve. For example, spinal stenosis involves narrowing of spaces within the spine. If that narrowing affects a nerve in the lower back, leg symptoms can develop.

Changes seen on a scan don't automatically mean someone will experience sciatica. What matters is whether those findings match the person's actual symptoms.

Why Does Sciatica Usually Affect One Leg?

Sciatica commonly affects one side of the body.

If a nerve root on the right side of your lower spine becomes irritated, symptoms may travel mainly through your right buttock and leg. If the irritation is on the left, symptoms may appear primarily on that side.

Pain can occasionally affect both sides, but one-sided symptoms are more typical.

How Long Does Sciatica Last?

There isn't one exact timeline.

Some episodes improve over several weeks, while others last longer or come and go. Recovery can depend on what's irritating the nerve, how severe the symptoms are, how long you've had them, and your overall health and activity level.

What's important is how your symptoms are changing.

Persistent or worsening symptoms, particularly symptoms involving increasing weakness, are a good reason to have the problem properly assessed.

Should You Keep Moving With Sciatica?

When your leg hurts every time you move, staying completely still can feel like the safest option.

But spending long periods avoiding normal activity isn't usually the goal.

Instead, focus on finding a level of movement your body can currently handle and gradually building from there.

This doesn't mean forcing yourself through severe pain. Your chiropractor may recommend specific movements or exercises based on what triggers or eases your symptoms.

How Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?

When sciatica makes sitting, walking, sleeping, working, or exercising uncomfortable, a chiropractor can evaluate your symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to nerve irritation.

Your chiropractor may ask where the pain begins, how far it travels, whether you experience tingling or numbness, and which activities make your symptoms better or worse.

An evaluation may also include looking at how your lower back and hips move and assessing other factors related to your symptoms.

Chiropractic care for sciatica may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Exercises
• Stretching or mobility guidance
• Advice about sitting and everyday movement
• Activity modifications
• Guidance for gradually returning to normal activity

At Spinology Chiropractic Spine and Disc Center, care is personalized based on your individual symptoms, health history, and goals.

Depending on your condition, patients may also be evaluated for non-surgical spine care options such as IDD Accu-Spina® Spinal Decompression Therapy when appropriate.

What Can You Do Alongside Chiropractic Care?

Your everyday habits matter when you're dealing with an irritated nerve.

If sitting for long periods increases your symptoms, try breaking that time into shorter periods. Changing positions regularly and taking short walks when comfortable can also help you avoid extended periods of inactivity.

Follow exercises recommended for your individual situation and gradually return to normal activities as appropriate.

There's no single "best sciatica stretch" that works for everyone. The right movements depend on what's contributing to your symptoms and how your body responds.

Living With Sciatica Doesn't Mean Avoiding Movement Forever

When you've experienced sharp pain down your leg, it's understandable to become cautious.

You may stop exercising, avoid bending, or worry about lifting because you're afraid the wrong movement will make everything worse.

But the goal shouldn't simply be to avoid movement forever.

It's to understand what may be irritating the nerve, which movements you can comfortably perform, and how you can gradually return to the activities that matter to you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

Is sciatica the same as lower back pain?

No. Lower back pain can remain around the back, while sciatica typically involves nerve symptoms that travel from the lower back or buttock into a leg.

Where does sciatica pain usually travel?

Sciatica can travel through the buttock, thigh, calf, and sometimes into the foot. The exact location depends on which nerve root is irritated.

Can sciatica cause tingling and numbness?

Yes. Because sciatica involves nerve irritation, symptoms can include tingling, numbness, burning sensations, and sometimes weakness.

Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?

A chiropractor can evaluate sciatica symptoms and determine whether chiropractic care may be appropriate. Care may include adjustments, exercise, mobility guidance, and recommendations for everyday activities.

When should I see a chiropractor for sciatica?

If symptoms keep traveling into your leg, return repeatedly, or interfere with sitting, walking, sleeping, working, or exercising, an evaluation may help determine appropriate next steps.

Final Thoughts

Sciatica can be uncomfortable and frustrating, but understanding what's contributing to your symptoms can help you make more informed decisions about your care.

At Spinology Chiropractic Spine and Disc Center, we provide personalized chiropractic care for sciatica in San Antonio, TX, along with non-surgical spine care options for appropriate patients.

If you're searching for a chiropractor for sciatica in San Antonio, our team can evaluate your symptoms, discuss your individual needs, and help you understand the care options available.

Contact Spinology Chiropractic Spine and Disc Center in San Antonio, TX, to schedule a consultation and learn more about personalized chiropractic and non-surgical spine care.