What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a common condition affecting many people and occurs when pressure on the sciatic nerve causes pain, numbness, tingling, or other types of discomfort. The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body, running from the lower back through the hips/buttocks and down the legs.
People with sciatica often experience sciatic pain that begins in the lower back or buttocks and goes down the back of one or both legs. The intensity and frequency of sciatic nerve pain are variable. Sciatic pain can be minimal, moderate, or severe and occur occasionally, intermittently, frequently, or constantly.
Mild sciatica may resolve independently, but if it doesn't, it can cause chronic pain and muscle weakness.
Symptoms of Sciatica Pain
The length and placement of the sciatic nerve make it challenging to ignore sciatic pain, which can prevent you from sitting, standing, or walking as you normally would.
Common symptoms of sciatic include:
- A shooting, piercing pain running from the lower back and down the legs
- A tingling or burning sensation runs down the leg.
- Numbness, weakness, or difficulty moving your foot or entire leg.
- Leg pain that becomes worse when you are sitting
- A consistent pain occurring on one side of your lower back
- A pain so intense and intolerable that it makes it hard to stand up
- Muscle spasms
- Weakness on one side of the body
What Causes Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying condition that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve. Since there are many potential causes of sciatica, you must seek medical care as soon as possible to diagnose and treat your condition.
Causes of sciatica include:
- tightened muscles (or "trigger points")
- slipped or bulging spinal discs
- misaligned or herniated discs
- degenerating discs
- wearing high heels
- prolonged sitting
- bad posture
- pregnancy and childbirth
- diabetes
- constipation
- sitting on your back-pocket wallet
- Piriformis syndrome: muscle cramping and spasming in the piriformis muscle that pinches the sciatic nerve and causes pain and inflammation. (The piriformis muscle connects to the thighbone and is near the lower spine area.)
- spinal stenosis
- spinal tumors
When Should I See a Chiropractor for Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Sometimes, a mild case of sciatica will resolve independently, but when the pain lingers or becomes severe, you should seek medical care. Sciatic nerve pain will continue as long as the nerve is compressed, and a doctor of chiropractic medicine will be able to diagnose and treat the underlying condition causing your sciatica.
You should see a chiropractor if your sciatica pain:
- worsens every day
- has lasted for more than a week
- has not improved with over-the-counter medications or rest
- makes your leg feel numb or weak
- causes incontinence
How Chiropractors Help Sciatica
Chiropractic doctors (D.C.s) regularly treat sciatica; chiropractic care is the quickest and most effective way to treat your condition. Chiropractors receive specialized training in the musculoskeletal system (muscles, tendons, cartilage, bones, and joints) and can identify and treat the underlying cause of sciatica without relying on pain medication. This specialized training means they know the precise spots to adjust to relieve pain.
Diagnosis of Sciatica and Its Cause Is Important for Proper Treatment
Many different underlying conditions can cause sciatica, and the chiropractor must determine what is causing it so they can treat it appropriately. Forming a diagnosis involves reviewing the patient's medical history and a physical or neurological examination.
Diagnostic testing might include:
- electrodiagnostic tests
- X-rays
- MRI
- CT scan
- nerve conduction velocity studies
- straight-leg raise test
- myelogram
What Does a Chiropractor Do for Sciatica Pain?
Along with physical therapy, chiropractic care is one of the most common treatment options for sciatica pain. Chiropractic care treatments typically include:
- stretches to increase your range of motion and accelerate healing
- Spinal manipulation or spinal adjustment to restore spinal alignment, which takes pressure off the sciatic nerve
- medical massages to release trigger points (tightened muscles) and decrease muscle inflammation
Additional Treatment Options May Be Available from a Chiropractor
In addition to chiropractic treatment for sciatica pain, chiropractors may provide additional in-office treatments to help you with sciatica pain. These treatment options encourage and enhance healing during and after your chiropractic treatment and include:
- heat packs or cold packs
- ultrasound therapy
- cold-laser therapy
- gentle exercise
- TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation) device
- hydrotherapy
- ergonomics
Use Other Treatments with Chiropractic Care for Sciatica Pain Relief
Other treatments can be used alongside chiropractic care to relieve sciatica pain or decrease the number of episodes of sciatica pain. These treatments include:
- Gentle stretching, which can relieve pressure on the nerve.
- Building up core strength with low-impact exercises can help prevent back pain.
- Practicing yoga can help improve strength, flexibility, and posture.
Can I Reduce My Risk of Developing Sciatica Pain?
The risk of developing sciatica can be reduced by making these small lifestyle changes:
- Avoid sitting in one place and/or position for lengthy periods.
- Practice good posture during daily activities. Good posture keeps your spine aligned and your muscles strong and relieves pressure on your sciatic nerve and spine.
- Practice proper lifting and exercise techniques. This can eliminate undue strain and stress on your body.
- Exercise regularly to maintain strong back and abdomen muscles. Strong back muscles stabilize spinal joints and keep vertebrae adequately aligned. Strengthening abdominal muscles helps maintain a neutral pelvic tilt, essential for preventing back pain and proper spine curvature.
- Avoid or stop smoking cigarettes.
As an additional preventative measure, many people will visit their chiropractor regularly even after their sciatica pain is gone.
Contact a North Central Texas Chiropractor for Sciatica Pain Treatment
A chiropractor can provide quick, lasting pain relief if you're suffering from sciatica pain or lower back pain. At A Family Chiropractic Clinic, we can help you find relief and help your body heal through noninvasive treatment methods.
Contact A Family Chiropractic Clinic today at (940) 566-0000 if you want to schedule an appointment or have any questions about sciatica pain or how chiropractic treatment can help you.
