Sciatic Nerve Specialist
Experiencing pain shooting down your legs and into your buttocks? You might be dealing with sciatica or pinched nerves. Essentially, anything causing a slight misalignment can exert immense pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to persistent pain. If you or someone you know is going through this, rest assured, you’re not alone.
Harvard Health reveals that pinched nerves are incredibly common, affecting a whopping 40% of people worldwide at least once in their lifetime. While many cases of mild sciatica resolve on their own, persistent sciatica can escalate into chronic pain and muscle weakness. Although there are various medical treatments available, such as pain medications, surgery, and lifestyle adjustments, some individuals opt for chiropractic care for sciatica treatment.
Chiropractic care has gained popularity as a natural approach to treating sciatica. It offers pain relief without relying on medication and is generally considered a safe treatment option. Learn what our chiropractors for sciatic nerve pain has to say about chiropractic care for sciatica? Dive into our insights and discover additional tips for managing sciatic pain.
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 sciatica nerve pain will only affect one side of the body. But, it’s not uncommon to affect both legs at the same time. Sciatica pain is the outcome of an injured sciatic nerve or the area around it that affects the nerve, like the vertebrae. 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
Our bones are static structures. We need the muscles if we are to move them 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
The symptoms can worsen after they’ve coughed, sneezed, or made sudden movements for some patients. Aside from the foot, legs, and buttocks 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 pain can lead to severe 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, a chiropractor 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 drugs or invasive procedures.
Heat and Cold Therapies in Sciatica treatment
Chiropractors often use a mix of cold and heat therapy to quickly ease sciatica pain. Heat helps relax tight muscles, while cold therapy reduces inflammation. Your chiropractor will figure out the best way to use these therapies based on your needs.
Chiropractic Adjustment for Sciatica
Chiropractors use 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. The chiropractor 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 spine compression. Chiropractors 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.
Other Natural Ways to Help With Sciatica
Simple Exercises:
Certain movements can make sciatica worse, but exercises can help. Depending on the issue, they chiropractor 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. Chiropractors provide practical solutions for short-term and long-term relief from sciatica pain.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does Medical Insurance Cover Sciatica Treatment?
Typically, insurance covers sciatica treatment, but some therapies, like acupuncture or spinal decompression, may not be included. Check the insurance plan before you ask for treatment.
How Long Does It take from Nerve Irritation to be Reduced?
The nerve irritation will most likely solve itself in a couple of weeks. For the majority of patients, it takes 1 to 2 weeks.
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 makes sciatica worse?
To some extent, yes. But, 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, disks, etc. But, putting too much pressure and stress on the spine can also trigger it.
