Could Your Leg Pain Be Sciatica?
Feeling a sharp, burning or tingling sensation that travels from your lower back into your leg? You might be wondering, “Is it sciatica?”
While these symptoms can be associated with sciatica, they can also have other causes. Understanding what may be contributing to your symptoms is an important first step before deciding on the most appropriate way to manage them.
A chiropractic assessment can help build a clearer picture of your symptoms and how you are moving and functioning. This may include assessing spinal and joint movement, muscle function and movement patterns. Your chiropractor can then discuss whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you or whether further assessment or referral to another healthcare professional is needed.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, usually from the lower back or buttock and into the leg. It commonly occurs when a nerve root in the lower spine becomes irritated or compressed.
Symptoms can vary from person to person and may include:
- Sharp, shooting or burning pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg
- Pain that becomes more noticeable with coughing, sneezing, bending, twisting or certain movements
- Numbness or reduced sensation in the leg or foot
- Tingling or a “pins and needles” sensation
- Weakness in the affected leg or foot
Sciatica often affects one side of the body, and for some people, symptoms may be more noticeable in the leg than in the lower back.
What causes sciatica?
There isn’t one single cause of sciatica. Sciatic symptoms can occur when a nerve or nerve root becomes irritated or compressed, with several conditions potentially contributing.
1. Disc-related sciatica
A herniated disc is a common cause of sciatica. The discs between the bones of your spine act as cushions and help allow movement. If a disc bulges or herniates, it may irritate or place pressure on a nearby nerve root, which can result in symptoms such as pain, tingling, numbness or weakness.
Learn more about spinal disc problems from Healthdirect.
2. Spinal narrowing and other changes
Sciatic symptoms can also occur when changes in the spine reduce the space available around the nerves.
One example is spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal or spaces around the nerves become narrower and may place pressure on nerve structures.
Other conditions can also cause symptoms that resemble sciatica, which is why it’s important not to assume that pain travelling into your leg has one particular cause.
When should you have sciatica symptoms assessed?
If you’re experiencing pain, tingling, numbness or other symptoms travelling into your leg, a healthcare professional can assess your symptoms and help determine what may be contributing to them.
You may want to seek professional advice if your symptoms are persistent, worsening, concerning you or making everyday activities more difficult.
Some symptoms require more urgent medical attention. Seek urgent medical care if back or leg pain occurs alongside symptoms such as changes to bladder or bowel control, numbness around the genital or anal area, or significant or sudden weakness or numbness.
Can a chiropractor assess sciatica symptoms?
At Northcote Health & Wellness, we start by assessing your symptoms, health history, movement and function.
Rather than assuming your leg pain is sciatica, Dr Chris will consider what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your individual circumstances.
Where appropriate, your management plan may include chiropractic care alongside advice about movement, activity and self-management. If your symptoms suggest that further investigation or care from another healthcare professional is required, referral may also be recommended.
You can also read more about sciatica pain, movement and managing symptoms.
Get your sciatica symptoms assessed at Northcote Health & Wellness
Sciatica can look different from person to person, and pain travelling into your leg doesn’t necessarily mean you have sciatica.
A chiropractic assessment at Northcote Health & Wellness can help Dr Chris better understand your symptoms, how you’re moving and whether chiropractic care may be appropriate for you.
If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing could be sciatica or you simply want to better understand your symptoms, book an appointment with Northcote Health & Wellness or call our team on 03 8899 6370.
