Sciatica Nerve Pain Treatment in Bellevue, WA
Sciatica is one of the most common conditions we treat at Bellevue Chiropractic. Dr. John Wisman, DC, and our team have helped thousands of patients recover from sciatic nerve pain over the past 4 decades.
Chiropractic care gets to the source of sciatica by correcting spinal misalignments and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Unlike medications or surgery, chiropractic care is non-invasive, requires no downtime, and focuses on long-term recovery.
If you are experiencing sharp leg pain, numbness, or persistent lower back discomfort, our team will develop a treatment plan tailored to you.
ALLEVIATE THE DAILY Sciatica leg pain FROM YOUR LIFE
What is sciatica?
The term sciatica is used to define nerve pain that radiates across the leg due to a pinched, compressed, or irritated sciatic nerve. The pain can originate from the lumbar spine and travel to the leg and into the backside.
In most cases, the sciatic nerve pain will only affect one side of the body. But it’s not uncommon for it to affect both legs at the same time. Sciatica pain results from an injured sciatic nerve or nearby structures, such as vertebrae, that irritate the nerve. Anything that irritates the nerve can cause sciatica. This nerve is the longest one we have in our body, and it plays a crucial role in connecting the legs, buttocks, and feet to the central nervous system. Without it, we wouldn’t be able to move, feel, or control our legs.
Two Types Of Nerve Disturbances
Bones are static structures and we rely on muscles to move properly. However, the moment these bones lose their proper flexibility, positioning, or motion, it can result in one of these nerve disturbances:
- Compressed lesion – This is a medical term for a pinched nerve. When the bones, tissues, or muscles apply too much pressure on the nerve, the nerve can get pinched. This type of pressure obstructs the nerve’s normal function, resulting in a lack of sensation, tingling, or pain. This is an infrequent problem.
- Facilitative lesion – When the soft tissues rub on the hard tissue, the nerve root can get chafed, twisted or abnormally stretched. This is a much more common problem people can experience.
Symptoms Of Sciatica
Sciatica pain is easy to recognize. For those who worry if they might be dealing with sciatic pain, here is how you can identify the symptoms. Individuals with sciatica might feel:
- “pins and needles” pricking through the skin
- discomfort and pain (like a burning sensation)
- numbness
- weakness
Symptoms can worsen after coughing, sneezing, or sudden movements in some patients. Aside from the foot, leg, and buttock pain, it’s not uncommon to experience back pain.
Long Term Problems Due To Untreated Sciatica Pain
Leaving sciatica untreated can result in:
- Nerve damage. Very rarely, untreated sciatica can lead to nerve damage with potentially permanent effects. If that were to happen, the pain could get worse. In this stage, pain meds won’t be effective.
- Impaired mobility and loss of feeling. The affected area may no longer remain connected to the central nervous system. This will hinder mobility and make daily tasks difficult to complete.
- Lack of bladder control. In very rare but extreme cases, the spinal cord may be damaged, which will affect bladder control.
Chiropractic Treatment for sciatica
Suffering from sciatica pain can be tough, but chiropractic treatment offers a gentle and natural way to ease it without any expensive or harmful side effects. Here’s how a chiropractor in Bellevue, WA can help with sciatica:
Chiropractic Diagnosis of Sciatica
Chiropractors believe that limited movement in the spine can lead to pain. When you have sciatic pain, we will carefully check your body and medical history to figure out what’s causing the pain. Chiropractic treatment is all about helping your body heal itself without using medications or invasive procedures.
Heat and Cold Therapies in Sciatica treatment
We often use a mix of cold and heat therapy to quickly ease sciatica pain. Heat helps relax tight muscles, while cold therapy reduces inflammation. Our experienced chiropractors will figure out the best way to use these therapies based on your needs.
Chiropractic Adjustment for Sciatica
Dr. Wisman uses gentle movements to guide a herniated disc back in place, taking pressure off the sciatic nerve. These adjustments also help with stiff movement in the spine and fix misaligned discs. He will use different techniques, from quick movements to gentle pressure, to move the lower back bones without putting pressure on the sciatic nerve. This not only reduces pain but also improves nerve signals and movement. Chiropractic adjustments can also help with muscle spasms for long-lasting relief.
Spinal Decompression
As we age, our spinal discs can dry out and get thinner, causing pinched nerves and spinal compression. We use spinal decompression to relieve nerve compression causing sciatica pain. This might involve techniques to stretch the spine and create more space between the bones, addressing the root issues causing sciatic pain.
Natural Ways to Help With Sciatica
Simple Exercises:
Certain movements can make sciatica worse, but exercises can help. Depending on the issue, the chiropractor can suggest exercises that avoid irritating the sciatic nerve and release pressure from tight muscles. These exercises, like basic stretches, can be done at home. Yoga is also effective, with poses like the reclining pigeon helping to stretch muscles, ease nerve pressure, and reduce irritation.
Changes in Daily Life:
Chiropractors take a holistic view, considering how you stand, sit, sleep, and lift. They might recommend adjustments to protect the positioning of the sciatic nerve. This advice aims to strengthen your back muscles, keeping the disc in place. Strengthening the back is crucial because the stronger it is, the less likely discs will slip and put pressure on the sciatic nerve again. We provide practical solutions for short-term and long-term relief from sciatica pain.
Book An Appointment
Request an appointment online by calling us on (425) 6370094 or by using booking tool below
Frequently Asked Questions
How Long Does It take for Nerve Irritation to be Reduced?
The nerve irritation will most likely resolve itself in a couple of weeks. For the majority of patients, it takes 1 to 2 weeks.
Does Medical Insurance Cover Sciatica Treatment?
Typically, insurance covers sciatica treatment, but some therapies like acupuncture or spinal decompression may not be covered. Check the insurance plan before you ask for treatment.
Does Sciatica Go Away On its Own?
Yes. In almost all cases, the pain will dissipate after some time.
What Can Make Sciatica Worse?
Anything from heavy lifting to coughing or sneezing can aggravate sciatica. The moment you put pressure on the nerve, you will experience flare-ups.
Does Sitting Make Sciatica Worse?
To some extent, yes. But it doesn’t treat it. It only makes sitting more comfortable.
What triggers sciatica?
Any changes in the spine that appear with old age can trigger sciatica. This includes bone spurs, discs, etc. But, putting too much pressure and stress on the spine can also trigger it.
