Sciatica

The pertinent part of the body that is involved in sciatica is the sciatic nerve, which runs along the lower part of your back, down to your buttocks and legs. Sciatica refers to inflammation of this nerve, which results in a tingling sensation and dull, persistent pain. This refers to mild cases; severe sciatica can be debilitating if the pressure on the sciatic nerve is excessive – leading to restricted mobility in your legs. You may find it difficult to walk for a long time, and even sitting may be enough to trigger an episode of the associated symptoms.

How Does Sciatica Progress?

In most cases, it starts out relatively mild, and increases in severity over time if left untreated. In fact, the pressure on the sciatic nerve can become significant enough that simple acts such as sneezing, coughing, sitting or slight, sudden movements can elicit pain, a tingling sensation, or numbness. In some cases, it resolves itself in anywhere from weeks to months; but, if the sensation is unmanageable, sciatica is very treatable by a medical professional. Although it is relatively easy to self-diagnose this issue, ascertaining the underlying cause and appropriate course of treatment should be left to a healthcare professional.

What Causes Sciatica

As you might have guesses, sciatica is a symptom – and not a disease in and of itself. The pressure on the sciatic nerve can be a result of a fractured pelvis bone, a herniated disc or so-called piriformis syndrome, in which the buttocks muscle is injured and adversely affects the nearby sciatic nerve. In more severe cases, sciatica results from bone cancer metastasizing in the sizable region where the sciatic nerve inhabits.

There’s Hope

Fortunately, improving joint motion in the lower back with a program of chiropractic adjustments has produced results for many people.

It all starts with a consultation and thorough examination. If we think we can help, we’ll tell you. And if we don’t think we can help, we’ll tell you that too and refer you to someone we think can. Get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• How do you get sciatica?
  It’s easy to trace some spinal problems to an event, such as a car accident. Yet, sciatica is often the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight or countless other causes sets the stage. Then, something simple like bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode. Spinal decay can be another culprit. Instead of disc thinning that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve roots, arthritic bone spurs can intrude into the space normally reserved for the nerve.
• Can chiropractic cure sciatica?
  Actually, chiropractic doesn’t cure anything! Only your body can do that. The chiropractic approach to sciatica (and other health problems) is to help restore the way your spine works, reducing nerve irritation and revitalizing your own healing ability.
• How much chiropractic care will be needed?
  Most sciatica patients are delighted with the results they get after weeks or months of care. Naturally, this varies from patient to patient. After a relapse or two, many discover that years of neglect have produced spinal instabilities that never fully heal. These patients elect to continue with periodic chiropractic checkups. It’s up to you.
• What if I don’t remember any ‘trauma’?
  This is a common refrain. Because our bodies are unusually adaptive, we can often accommodate a variety of stresses for years. Finally, like the “straw that broke the camel’s back,” we turn or bend funny and suddenly our spine succumbs to the accumulation of stress.