What Is Sciatica? Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
Sciatica is now one of the most common health complaints in the United States. It affects millions of people each year and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort. If you are suffering from sciatica, it is important to understand the condition and how to treat it effectively.
At Carey Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center in Proctorville, OH, we specialize in relieving sciatica symptoms with a variety of treatments. We have a knowledgeable team that is delighted to share our insight on sciatica and how it can be managed.
What Is Sciatica?
In simple terms, sciatica is pain or discomfort that radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve. The pain often originates in the lower back and extends through one side of the buttocks, down through the leg, and can even extend as far as your toes. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, it can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation in any of these areas.
What Causes Sciatica?
The primary causes of sciatica are compression or irritation to the sciatic nerve caused by bulging discs, misalignments in the spine known as subluxations, and muscle tension. In some cases, sciatica can be caused by other conditions such as:
- Pregnancy: Pregnancy adds extra weight on the spine and pelvic area, which can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve
- Diabetes: People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from nerve damage
- Spinal stenosis: Spinal stenosis is simply the narrowing of the spinal canal, and this can lead to sciatic nerve compression.
- Piriformis syndrome: This is an uncommon cause, but it occurs when a muscle in the buttock area called the piriformis muscle compresses on the sciatic nerve.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Most people suffering from sciatica experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Low back pain
- Pain that radiates down the leg
- Numbness and tingling in the leg and foot
- Difficulty moving or controlling the leg
- Weakness in the muscles of the leg or foot.
How Is Sciatica Treated?
The good news for those suffering from sciatica is that it does not always require surgery. Chiropractic care has been found to be an effective treatment for sciatica. A chiropractor will carefully diagnose the cause of sciatica and then use manual manipulation, massages, chiropractic adjustments, stretches, and other treatments to reduce inflammation and restore normal joint motion. Additionally, they may also recommend lifestyle modifications such as exercise, improving posture, or ergonomics at work to promote pain relief.
Contact Our Chiropractor for Sciatica Pain Relief
At Carey Chiropractic & Rehabilitation Center in Proctorville, OH, we understand how uncomfortable and frustrating sciatica can be. We are here to help you find relief and manage your symptoms. We offer chiropractic adjustments, rehabilitation exercises, and other treatments to reduce your sciatica pain. Contact us at 740-886-7878 to schedule an appointment.