Sciatica Treatment in Chicago, IL

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is made up of many branches of the individual lumbar nerves which come together in the buttocks area and forms a single nerve that is about the size of your pinky. This nerve can get irritated either individually from each lumbar segment or collectively from stress in the muscles of the buttocks.

What Causes Sciatica?

Typically sciatica is a collective term that describes some type of sharp and shooting or electrical pain going down the leg sometimes all the way to the toes. It can come from a lower back strain from lifting , athletics, or an accident can irritate the sciatic nerve at various levels within the spine or in the buttocks. Additionally, conditions like arthritic spurs, disc protrusions, leg length discrepancies or a pronated foot can create this problem.

What Does Sciatica Feel Like?

Some people will complain of burning, tingling, numbness Or Shooting pain which may travel down the leg either on the outside or inside, and it may even end up all the way into the toes. Often when the symptoms go into the toes we have to look at a possible lumbar disc injury as a culprit, but there are other possible reasons for tingling burning or numbness in the foot or toes. Sometimes deep, very achy muscles in the leg or buttocks can masquerade as a pulled muscle, but is really an injury or irritation to the nerve root .

How to Treat Sciatica?

Traditionally stretching, massage therapy, chiropractic care, PT care, sometimes medications, and if all conservative care fails after a strong course of these treatments injection therapy or surgery may have to be considered. If there is any biomechanical faults in the feet or alignment of the legs or spine that absolutely has to be addressed. When conservative care fails to relieve the symptoms fairly quickly, a MRI can diagnose damage to the nerve or bony tissues.

Contact Podiatry & Sport Medicine Associates

If you are experiencing symptoms or Sciatica and seek treatment contact Dr. Schoene and the team at Podiatry & Sport Medicine Associates today.