Back pain afflicts millions of Americans every year. Whether it’s from sleeping in an awkward position or trying to do some sort of acrobatic move to reach the remote, we are all susceptible to immense back pain at some point in our lives. One common cause of back pain is Sciatica, which is when your sciatic nerve is pinched, resulting in pain that can range from not only your back but your hips and legs as well. Although this pain can be caused by a number of things, not all sciatica is the same. Here are the most common types of sciatic nerve pain, as well as what treatment works.
Mid to Lower Back
To help better understand where your pain is coming from, the spine is divided into certain sections. Sciatica usually stems from the lower back, which is where the nerve is located. The L3 and L4 region is the area where your spine curves into the small of your back. If your sciatica originates here, you will experience pain and possibly numbness of your lower leg and foot, which can affect how you walk.
Lower Back
If your sciatica stems from the small of your back, where it curves toward your pelvis, then this is part of the L5 region. Typically, pain from the L5 nerve root will affect the toes, ankles, and top of your feet. If it’s particularly bad, you may have trouble moving your foot at all.
Bottom of the Spine
The L5-S1 region of the spine is at the very bottom, and if your pain originates from here, then your pain may be localized to the outside of the foot and the ankle as well. You may have difficulty raising your heel or walking on your toes.
Treatment Options
If sciatica is something that bothers you regularly, you may want to try these treatment options:
*Chiropractor
*Massage Therapy
*Acupuncture
*Hot/Cold Compress
*Pain Medication
*Epidural Steroid Injection
If you live in the New Jersey area, you can easily find a back and pain treatment center that will help ease your sciatic pain quickly and effectively so you can get back to living your best life.
