Sciatica: Understanding and Alleviating Nerve Pain

Sciatica is not a diagnosis but a description of a symptom - specifically, pain in the sciatic nerve. This large nerve travels from your low back to your feet, supplying the majority of your muscles and skin. At Northwood Chiropractic Oxford, we focus on getting to the root of sciatica. How? By performing a detailed assessment to figure out what exactly is causing the sciatica in the first place as this is different with every case.

A disc herniation occurs when the disc (a gel-like structure between your vertebrae) becomes damaged, bulging and pressing on the nearby sciatic nerve. This condition:

• Most common between ages 20-60
• Typically worse when sitting and bending forward
• Often more painful in the morning
• Usually improves with walking

Lumbar stenosis develops through spinal degeneration (wear and tear or arthritis), causing narrowing of the space where the nerve exits the spine. This condition:

• Usually affects those over 60+ years of age
  
• Can affect one leg (lateral stenosis) or both (spinal stenosis)
• Typically worsens with walking
• Often improves dramatically with sitting
• May limit walking distance before requiring rest