Pain can be a real nuisance. It can affect your ability to work, exercise, sleep, and perform everyday activities. Pain can be particularly troublesome when it radiates down your backside and leg. Chronic pain can even affect your relationships. Family members, friends, and coworkers will need to take on more than their fair share when you cannot do what you usually do.
 

That can make you feel ashamed and isolated from those around you. Consequently, you will likely experience feelings like stress, resentment, and frustration. Unfortunately, such feelings can worsen your back pain. 

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common form of pain. It affects the sciatic nerve that branches from the back through the buttocks and hips and down each leg. Usually, it affects one side of the body. It mainly occurs when spinal stenosis, bone spur on the spine, or a herniated disc compresses part of the sciatic nerve. That leads to pain, inflammation, and numbness in the affected leg. 

Sciatic pain can be severe, but most cases resolve in a few weeks with non-operative treatments. But if you have sciatica accompanied by bowel and bladder changes and significant leg weakness, you might be a candidate for surgery. 

Early Signs of Sciatica

The spine and body are complicated structures, making it challenging to figure out back pain. Any number of things can cause discomfort and pain in your back and other areas of your body. 

Fortunately, a chiropractor can help you determine the source of your pain and the appropriate treatment for your condition. Sciatica is a common cause of back pain. Some of the early warning signs of sciatica include:
 

Pain Radiating From Your Lower Back Down the Back of Your Leg
 

The main symptom of sciatica is pain and discomfort. One of the first symptoms you will experience is discomfort and pain that originates in your back and spreads across your hips, buttocks, and down the back of your leg. Sometimes, the pain can radiate to your foot. Although the sciatic nerve runs down both legs, you rarely experience pain on both sides. 

Depending on the severity of your problem, you may experience constant dull pain or shooting pain that comes and goes. Sometimes, it can be continuous shooting pain. Often, bending over and sitting down worsens the pain, as do sudden movements like coughing or sneezing.

Leg or Foot Weakness

If the condition causing your sciatic pain is severe, you may experience numbness or weakness in your leg or foot. You may also find it difficult to lift your foot while walking. So, it would be best if you took extra care not to fall.

Tingling or Burning Sensation in the Legs

Another early sign of sciatica is a burning or tingling sensation in the affected leg, meaning something is interfering with your sciatic nerve. You should seek immediate medical attention if you experience a complete loss of sensation or function. The same applies if you lose control of your bowels and bladder. 

For more on sciatic pain, visit Jassy Chiropractic Center at our Midlothian, Virginia office. Call (804) 379-1145 to schedule an appointment today.