Sciatica
People experiencing lower back pain and sciatica can find relief through chiropractic care. While some people may try to find relief with medication, turning to pills often comes with consequences.
Sciatica is different from ordinary back pain. With this condition, you might feel pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that run from your lower back and down one leg, reaching into your calf or foot. Nerve sensations can include numbness, tingling, burning, and muscle weakness.
The source of sciatica is nerve compression affecting the sciatic nerve. The key to effective sciatica treatment is to start with an examination. That’s why our team at ADIO Family Chiropractic in Saint Charles is here to help you find relief from your sciatica.
What Is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve branches out from the lumbar portion of the spine through the hips and extends down to the feet. When the vertebrae in the spine are out of alignment, one or more nerve branches are compressed and cause irritation and inflammation. Chiropractic adjustments work to properly align the spine by removing the sciatic nerve’s compression. In some cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated or slipped disk or narrowing of the spine. Typically, sciatica symptoms will only impact one side of the body.
Sciatica Symptoms
A common symptom is sciatic nerve pain that runs down the lower back, hips, and buttocks. This can cause pain in the legs and feet too. The intensity of the pain varies with each patient. Numbness in the leg is another symptom that you may feel. This is caused by bone spurs and discs pressing on the sciatic nerve. Another symptom is tingling in the feet. This is similar to when your arm or leg falls asleep.
Swelling, weak muscles, and inflammation are also common symptoms of sciatica. If you are experiencing difficultly traversing staircases or walking, this may be due to sciatica. Other symptoms are lower back pain, problems with moving the legs, pain standing up or sitting down, a burning sensation, and discomfort on one side of the buttocks.
How Can a Chiropractor Help?
Our chiropractor can help by using gentle adjustments to put your spine back into alignment, taking pressure off the nerve. Combining various chiropractic adjustments and treatments is effective in properly relieving sciatica. Chiropractic care puts the vertebrae back into place with hands-on adjustments. This will help the muscles relax and make it easier for you to regain your ability to move freely.
The goal of treating sciatica goes beyond relieving pain and other discomforts. Our doctor seeks to reduce the level of inflammation and increase flexibility and range of motion. That’s why we also recommend rest, icing, and stretching as part of our sciatica treatment.
Contact Us Today
If you are dealing with sciatica and live in or around Saint Charles, contact our team at ADIO Family Chiropractic. We are ready to help you find relief from the pain that comes with sciatica. Call our team today at (636) 498-2346.
Sciatica FAQs
A: What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
The primary symptom of sciatica is an intense pain that goes from the lower back down into the leg. Some people say that it feels like being stabbed or shocked. For some patients, sciatica causes additional symptoms, such as weakness in the affected leg. Reduced range of motion is also possible. These symptoms make it difficult to walk and perform simple daily activities. The symptoms of sciatica usually only occur on one side of the body. The symptoms tend to be worse if you get up after not moving for a while. Certain positions can also intensify the pain.
A: What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve is impinged, inflamed, or irritated. This is typically caused by the nerve coming into contact with the nearby structures. Herniated discs and spinal stenosis are two common possible causes of sciatica. Our chiropractor will determine what is contributing to your sciatic nerve pain. The treatment plan created will address the underlying issue while helping to minimize the symptoms of the condition.