Much like the way damage to a plant’s stalk can cause damage to the whole plant, damage to your spine – specifically your lower spine – can incite pain in other areas of the body. A common example of these coexisting issues is the disorder of the sciatic nerve, known as sciatica. As one of the longest and largest nerves in the body, the sciatic nerve is protected by the spine until it reaches the lower back. At this point, it begins to split to either side of the body and branch down through your buttocks, legs, and feet. It serves as one of the main sources of sensation in your legs and therefore, when damaged, can be very detrimental to your mobility and comfort.
As you can imagine, pressure, inflammation, or slipped disks in the lower spine can greatly affect the sensations passing through this nerve and often brings great discomfort. In fact, it has been reported that 5 to 10 percent of patients with lower back pain also suffer from sciatica. Sciatica problems can express itself anywhere between the buttocks and the feet, often as tingling, numbness, or shooting pains. While the root cause is often from problems in the lower back, long periods of sitting or sudden stress to this area of the body can also trigger these sensations. The worst part about sciatica is that it is often a progressive problem, starting with light sensation and worsening over time if it is not treated.

Find Relief: Chiropractic Treatments for Sciatica

Because of the close connection between the sciatic nerve and the spine, chiropractors have been treating sciatica regularly in congruence with lower back pain to find positive results in relieving pain and can often be coupled with massage therapy or physical therapy for improved results. If you’re experiencing lower back problems or early signs of sciatica, it’s important to discuss your symptoms with your chiropractor so that they can get to the root of the cause and collaborate with you on a care plan that’s right for your lifestyle. Proper diagnosis of sciatica is essential because both physical symptoms and personal lifestyle must come into play.
We take a complete history of your health to find the root cause of the problem. If you suffer from nerve damage due to disease or illness, suffer from mental stress, or live a sedentary lifestyle, you could have an increased risk of suffering from sciatica. By identifying possible sources, discussing the frequency and severity of symptoms, and provide a physical exam, we will be able to assemble the right treatment for you. Depending on your personal needs, we can then provide the right mix of heat therapies, electrical stimulation therapy, and manipulation of the lumbar spine to try to reduce stress on your lower back, and therefore inflammation that is inciting pain. Chiropractors are also trained to recognize problems that could be beyond being manageable with adjustments. At this point, we can make expert recommendations to physicians that can help.

Take Charge: At Home Treatment and Prevention Techniques

The healing process doesn’t stop when you leave the clinic. Tuck Clinic tries to fully equip patients with expectations on their healing, tips on managing pain and preventing worsening pain, and exercises to help strengthen the parts of the body that could be causing the inflammation around the nerve. With therapeutic exercises and following a few daily reminders, you can take control of how your pain relief progresses. Remembering things like sitting with your legs uncrossed, maintaining posture, avoiding being too sedentary, and eating can be key factors in helping you return to a happy healthy lifestyle!