When you experience foot pain, you rarely suspect your back as a culprit. However, sciatica is a problematic disorder that can cause shooting pain down through your leg. This condition occurs when something affects the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back down your legs.
Depending on the affected area of the nerve, you can perceive pain in your feet and toes. So, why does it happen, and what can you do to improve it?
What Causes Sciatica?
The irritation of the sciatic nerve causes sciatica, and it most likely stems from the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine. The most common causes include lumbar spinal stenosis, slipped discs, degenerative disk disease, and other conditions affecting your spine’s health.
Certain risk factors can increase the chances of developing sciatica. That includes:
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
- Wearing high heels
- Sleeping on an inadequate mattress
- Working a job that requires lifting heavy things, twisting your back, or driving for long periods
What Are Sciatica Symptoms?
The most common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Lower back pain
- Constant pain in one side of the rear
- A shooting pain that makes it hard to stand up
- Pain, weakness, or numbness in one foot
- Hip pain
- Burning or tingling sensation in the leg
Pain can range from mild to severe and can be constant or occur in bursts.
You should seek medical help if the symptoms worsen or you experience a fever, redness, swelling, or severe symptoms that impair your ability to do everyday tasks. In some instances, sciatica can cause loss of bladder or bowel control, or the occurrence of blood in your pee.
How to Know if Sciatica is Responsible for My Foot Pain?
The foot pain resulting from sciatica is different from your common foot injury. You can recognize it by the heaviness or weakness in the foot that makes it harder to raise it. That can cause the foot to drag while walking, and it’s often paired with numbness or pain in the affected leg.
A good test is to try and raise your heels and walk on your tiptoes. Doing this is nearly impossible for people with sciatica, and it’s a good way to see if you suffer from this condition. However, you need to visit a medical professional who can locate the root of your problems and prescribe an adequate treatment.
How Is Sciatica Treated?
Once you get a proper diagnosis, your doctor will suggest various treatments to minimize your sciatica pain and increase mobility. That may include:
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Epidural injections
- Physical therapy
- Stretching techniques
- Low-impact exercises
- Ice and cold therapy
- Other over-the-counter medication
- Surgery
Where to Get Help for Sciatica Foot Pain?
Space City Pain provides several treatment options for sciatica pain. After the initial exam and necessary imaging, one of our experienced specialists will recommend a treatment that may include spinal cord stimulation, microdosing, pain pumps, Nimbus radiofrequency ablation, or regenerative medicine modalities. Click here to request an appointment and get rid of your pain.
