Is sciatica a spinal disorder or a symptom of a spinal disorder? The term sciatica is commonly used to describe pain traveling in the distribution of the sciatic nerve, therefore it is more accurate to state that it is a symptom of a spinal disorder not a spinal disease itself.
Frequent symptoms of sciatica are listed below.
Table of Contents
Sciatic nerve fibers start at the 4th and 5th lumbar vertebra (L4, L5) and the first few segments of the sacrum. The nerve passes through the sciatic foramen, a nerve passageway just beneath the piriformis muscle which rotates the thigh laterally, towards the rear of the extension of the hip and into the lower part of the gluteus maximus, or the muscle in the buttocks, that helps with thigh extension. The sciatic nerve then runs vertically down to the rear of the thigh, behind the knee and branches out into the hamstring muscles, or the calf, and farther downward into the feet.
Compression of the sciatic nerve may cause any of the above-cited symptoms. Rarely is neurological damage permanent and paralysis is rarely a threat due to sciatica since the spinal cord ends before the first vertebra of the lumbar spine.
When to seek immediate medical attention for sciatica: Increasing back or leg weakness and/or bladder or bowel incontinence is a sign of cauda equina syndrome, a severe illness requiring emergency treatment. If you are experiencing these symptoms at the moment, please seek immediate medical attention from a qualified and experienced back pain specialist.
Certain lumbar spinal diseases can cause or lead to sciatica symptoms, including:
A healthcare professional’s diagnosis of your pain and other symptoms may include discussing your medical history, recent accidents or injuries (eg, falls) as well as also a review of your current medicines (both over-the-counter and prescription drugs). Your doctor may additionally perform a physical evaluation using one or more movement evaluations to help determine the origin or causes of your pain. During the neurological portion of the evaluation, your reflexes and muscle strength are tested. If needed, they may order imaging studies, like an x-ray, CT scan, or even an MRI. The imaging tests can help confirm their diagnosis.
Furthermore, a healthcare professional may ask you a few questions, such as:
Not all buttock and leg pain is sciatica as there are a number of different structures in the spine that can cause these kinds of pain. For example, the sacroiliac joint, or the joint between the pelvis and sacrum, the smallest segment of the spine, may cause or refer pain to the buttock as well as a sprain of the facet joints, which would be the connecting joints at the rear part of the spine. A bulging or herniated disc can also refer pain down into the leg. If buttock and leg pain symptoms are correlated with any neurologic signs of numbness or weakness, it is “true sciatica” and has to be evaluated by a spine care expert, such as a chiropractor. If severe neurologic symptoms occur along with bowel and/or bladder control problems, it needs to be evaluated as soon as possible.
In the assessment of lower back pain and sciatica, differential diagnosis using a “triage” concept of classifying back injuries and/or conditions to one of three categories helps guide the chiropractor when determining the source of the patient’s symptoms. These categories of chiropractic diagnosis include:
Once the chiropractor has categorized the patient’s source of their sciatica, they may begin with the proper treatment. With chiropractic diagnosis of potentially serious injuries and/or conditions, the chiropractor will generally refer the patient to a relevant medical specialist, and as appropriate, the chiropractor might co-manage the patient’s care along with other back pain healthcare professionals. With this classification, chiropractic care may be used accordingly to avoid further spinal health issues.
In addition, with chiropractic diagnosis of a nerve root problem causing sciatica and/or non-specific causes of low back pain, chiropractors normally describe the symptoms experienced on the following scale:
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Through the use of several physical evaluations and neurological assessments, a doctor of chiropractic is able to properly diagnose the source of a patient’s sciatica symptoms. Once a diagnosis has been established, a chiropractor will follow-up with the best, most recommended treatment for the individual’s specific needs and requirements. A spinal misalignment, or subluxation, is the most prevalent cause of sciatica. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the most common treatment methods used to help carefully restore the natural alignment of the spine. A variety of other treatment methods can also be used by a doctor of chiropractic, to help speed up the patient’s recovery process. If the diagnosis of a patient’s sciatica symptoms determines that the source of their sciatic nerve pain is severe, a chiropractor may also refer the patient to the most appropriate healthcare professional to continue treatment.
These back pain or sciatica symptoms might be further broken down as mild, moderate or severe in pain. Once a chiropractor has properly diagnosed your sciatica symptoms, they may utilize a series of treatment modalities, including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other well-known alternative treatment options, to help improve sciatic nerve pain. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
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The information herein on "Symptoms and Possible Causes of Sciatica in El Paso, TX" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.
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Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.
We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182
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Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
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Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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