Sciatica in St. Louis

Sciatica is pain in the lower extremity resulting from irritation of the sciatic nerve.

It runs from each side of the lower spine through deep in the buttocks and back of the thigh, and all the way down to the foot. Sciatica causes pain, a burning sensation, numbness, or tingling radiating from the lower back and upper buttock down the back of the thigh to the back of the leg.

Symptoms of Sciatica in St. Louis

Sciatica symptoms include lumbar pain, buttock pain, hip pain, and leg pain. Sometimes the pain radiates around the hip or buttock to feel like hip pain. While sciatica is often associated with lower back pain (lumbago), it can be present without low back pain. Severe sciatica can make walking difficult if not impossible. Sometimes the symptoms of sciatica are aggravated by walking or bending at the waist and relieved by lying down. The pain relief by changing positions can be partial or complete.

What Causes Sciatica?

Although a herniated disk is a common cause of sciatic nerve pain, other conditions also can put pressure on your sciatic nerve, including:

Lumbar Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of one or more areas in your spine — most often in your upper or lower back.

Spondylolisthesis

This condition, often the result of degenerative disk disease, occurs when one vertebra slips slightly forward over another vertebra. The displaced bone may pinch the sciatic nerve where it leaves your spine.

Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis muscle starts at your lower spine and connects to each thighbone (femur). Piriformis syndrome occurs when the muscle becomes tight or goes into spasms, putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. Prolonged sitting, car accidents and falls can contribute to piriformis syndrome.

Spinal Tumors

In the spine, tumors can occur inside the spinal cord, within the membranes (meninges) that cover the spinal cord, or in the space between the spinal cord and the vertebrae. As it grows, a tumor compresses the cord itself or the nerve roots.

Trauma

A car accident, fall or blow to your spine can injure the lumbar or sacral nerve roots.

Sciatic Nerve Tumor or Injury

Sometimes, the sciatic nerve itself may be affected by a tumor or an injury.

Sciatica Pain Treatment in St. Louis

Chiropractic adjustments commonly correct these dysfunctions allowing the supporting musculature to return to a healthy, balanced state. In St. Louis Sciatica related to joint dysfunction or bone misalignment is best corrected using chiropractic adjustments. By using carefully directed and controlled pressure to restore joints to a normal position and motion, the pressure placed on the nerve is quickly and painlessly reduced. This often results in immediate pain relief. Sciatica related to disc injury often requires additional treatment methods.