Sciatica vs. Sciatic Nerve Pain: Differences and Treatment.

Both are sciatic nerve pain syndromes. Treatment can often be difficult to handle, but thanks to new chiropractic techniques the healing could be total.

• The sciatic nerve is the longest sensory element in our body which not only provides sensitivity to our legs but also works as a neurological element to control the posture and maintain balance.

• The term ‘‘sciatica’’ comes from the word sciatic, and it refers to the pain that happens during the nerve path. It is also known as lumbosciatica, especially because when we talk about sciatica we relate to the fact that the roots of the nerve have been compromised, mainly its lumbar roots.

• Unlike the previous one, other causes of sciatic pain do not refer to sciatica. In this case, there is no involvement of the sciatic nerve, but some external factors damaging the sciatic (not directly) such as muscles, ligaments, or tendons compression.

What produces sciatica?

As we said above, its cause is associated with damage to the nerve roots at the lumbar spinal, but… what causes damage in that area? Well, if the nerve roots come from the spine, any injury of these can cause sciatica.

The appearance of sciatica means -briefly- that there are one or more nerves pressed by a herniated disc, bones (as in arthritis) or by some bone spur of the lumbar column, to name a few.

Once sciatica takes place, an inflammation process happens in the compromised area that gives rise to the severe pain. It is important to see an expert once pain or numbness is felt.

Common symptoms: Do I suffer from sciatica?

People who suffer from this condition tend to feel chronic pain, but this is a nonspecific sign, and to be able to relate it to sciatica, certain aspects must be considered:

• The pain must be felt under the lumbar back: It typically begins in the buttocks and follows a downward path through the lower limb.

• The pain is toughest under the lumbar back: If there is a lumbar spine anomaly causing pain, the sciatica pain will exceed the strength of the first one.

• The pain can even reach the knee.

• The pain follows a back course.

• The pain is one-sided or involves a single lower limb.

It must be taken into account that sciatica can be followed by constant tingling symptoms or a feeling that the limbs are numb; this sensation called ''paresthesia'' can even reach the hurt leg toe.