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  • Writer's pictureDr. McHardy

Sciatica – It can be a real pain in the butt – literally!

Can Custom Orthotics Help?

The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the body, it is as thick as one of your fingers where it arises in the lower spine. It then travels from your lower back through your hip and buttocks area and down your leg. When pressure is placed on this nerve you may feel pain in this region accompanied by tingling, ‘pins and needles’, numbness and sometimes muscle weakness in the leg. This uncomfortable, and often intolerable, condition is called ‘Sciatica’.


Orthotics are a system of foot support built in to, or added to, shoes to assist in restoring the foot's natural, neutral alignment. They can improve postural alignment which may affect hip position and heel lift that could be causing the sciatic pain. Orthotics can help prevent or relieve problems that result form an unbalanced gait or poor posture, like lower back and sciatica pain.


Do you have symptoms of Sciatica?

When the sciatic nerve becomes compressed, it leads to painful symptoms such as:


· Pain concentrated on only one side of your lower body

· Sharp shooting pain along the sciatic nerve

· Numbness in your legs

· Dull aches

· Pain when standing

· Difficulty breathing

· Anxiety

· Panic attack symptoms


and we can recommend the proper treatment for your pain!

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