Back Pain and Sciatica

 Chiropractic Therapy Is Key To Back Pain and Sciatica

Even though back pain and sciatica have noticeable differences, they are often confused with each other. The back is specific to the upper, middle, or lower back. Sciatica is a more diffused, radiating pain down the buttock, thigh, and even leg.
 

Another possible pain is radiculopathy. This is a radiating numbness, tingling, burning, or sharp sensation and or pain centered in a specific part of the leg. This is often associated with a herniated disc, or entrapment of the nerve of that area, as it leaves the spine.
 

Where did my back pain or sciatica start?

General back pain develops as the result of an injury. This can be due to repetitive straining motions, such as leaning down multiple times throughout the day to pick up a toddler, or a more dangerous and sudden trauma, such as a motor vehicle accident.
 

Underlying conditions, such as herniated discs, can also cause immense pain and cause radiculopathy pain to the thigh, leg, or foot. Degenerative disc disease, which can result in back pain, is a common condition that begins to show itself as we get older. Those with this condition typically report dull, aching pains in their lower back, and have difficulty with standing or walking for long periods of time.
 

Often, we find that people lose their flexibility in the hips and pelvis, which causes the gluteus and hip muscles to become tightened. This tightening alters the mechanics of the spine and causes compression to the sciatic nerve as it travels through these tissues.
 

Sciatica’s technical name is “lumbar radiculopathy.” People who develop this condition are usually between the ages of 30 and 50. Many different types of injuries can cause the development of sciatica, including arthritis, bone spurs, or any other injury that impacts the sciatic nerve.
 

Wondering what the difference is between back pain and sciatica?

“Back pain” is something that can be caused by a wide array of different conditions. For example, you may experience back pain because of a motor vehicle accident, a lifting injury, or even due to poor posture.

Back pain can be described as short-term, acute, or long-term, also called chronic (usually lasting for three months or longer).
 

Sciatica

Sciatica is a specific type of back pain that has been previously reported as being highly uncomfortable. But fortunately, it’s also very simple to diagnose. Those with sciatica will experience pain along the largest nerve in your body, otherwise known as their sciatic nerve.

The sciatic nerve begins at your lower back and then splits at the base of your spine to extend further down to your buttocks, legs, and finally to the bottom of each foot. The sciatic nerve can After becoming compressed or irritated, the nerve will cause a “shooting,” “stinging,” or “burning” sensation in your lower back, buttocks, legs, or feet.

Contact Marlboro Chiropractic Health for an evaluation to help with this condition and determine the cause of your back or sciatica today.