Many of us will experience SCIATICA sometime in our lifetime — lifetime incidence of sciatica ranges from 13% to 43% in the general population. Peak incidence occurs in the fourth and fifth decades of life, with radicular pain from herniated discs being more common in individuals aged 30 to 50 years.
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often happens when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on the lumbar spine nerve roots. This happens “upstream” from the sciatic nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg. Although the pain associated with sciatica can be serious, those cases that are caused by a herniated disk can clear up with treatment in a few weeks to months. People who have severe sciatica and serious leg weakness or bowel or bladder changes might need surgery.
Click the links to learn more about sciatica:
Symptoms and Causes
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are experiencing sciatica, then please reach out to our office at (707) 938-1255 to help get you through this problem.