It is a condition that affects the sciatic nerve, which is the largest and longest nerve in our body. It can cause back pain, numbness, tingling sensations, muscle weakness, and leg pain in the form of shooting or sharp pain radiating down our legs. An injury or stress can cause this condition to either of these areas of your spine.
This pain is an often misunderstood condition that can strike those with pressure on their spinal cord and nerves. It affects people who regularly participate in activities like sitting for long periods or exercising when it can cause pain down one or both of your legs due to a pinched, inflamed, or herniated disc near the lower back, buttocks, spine, or pelvis. It can be challenging to pinpoint the exact cause, but there are many ways to deal with this condition, including reducing the pain and inflammation.
How We Treat Sciatica
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
It is an excellent way to start your treatment. Have the doctor or chiropractor examine your lower back, sacrum, pelvis, and hips. If you are suffering from this condition, this will provide the most detailed examination results. The exam will then lead the doctors to the ideal parts of your body that they will treat for proper relief and relief from pain.
A comprehensive spine scan is also a great way to start your treatment. It will help determine the exact cause of Sciatica. The scan can tell your doctor or chiropractor if you have a structural problem with your spine, a tumor, or something that is causing the pain. It will also help your doctor or chiropractor determine the degree of your pain, which is essential in choosing which treatment method will be the best for you.
Specific Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic can treat a wide range of conditions, including Sciatica. It is a safe, effective, and all-natural way to deal successfully with any pain in your body. Some commonly used chiropractic techniques for this condition includes:
- Spinal manipulation.
- Joint mobilization.
- Soft tissue treatment and adjustment.
- Trigger point therapy.
Custom orthopedic tables adjust into various positions simultaneously to relieve pressure on those nerves responsible for this condition.
It involves using force to adjust the spine using your hands and arms. The doctor or chiropractor will then pinpoint the exact position at which the patient will feel relief from pain. They are highly effective and help relieve pain across the entire body. There is less risk of a severe injury to your spine if you opt for this treatment method.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise
The therapeutic exercise involves using specialized equipment to target your muscles and lower back specifically. Therapeutic exercise will help relax those muscles and reduce their level of tension. It reduces pain, improves flexibility, decreases the risk of injury, and increases your range of motion. A physical therapist specializing in rehabilitation or a chiropractor experienced in custom therapeutic tables can perform this exercise.
The spine and muscles in your back depend on each other to work correctly. Once you have been treated, it is extremely important to follow a series of exercises that have been specifically designed for you. These exercises will help keep your muscles and the spine active and flexible. It will reduce the risk of those severe strains and tears to the forces that can lead to even more pain and nerve damage in your lower back.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression, also known as spinal decompression therapy, is a safe and effective way to reduce pressure on nerve roots. It involves putting and holding various body parts at certain positions for a specific length of time. It is essential for those suffering from pinched nerves or herniated discs. It makes the spine expand and compress. It helps reduce inflammation, relieves pressure on the nerves, encourages blood flow, improves oxygenation to the discs, and removes toxins and fluids from the disc space.
Spinal decompression is a unique technique that uses gravity to effectively treat all bone conditions, including spinal Stenosis and other back problems. It involves lying on an adjustable bed with a special helmet that gently stretches your head. These treatments have been shown to reduce inflammation and pressure on nerve roots.
Deep Tissue Laser
Deep Tissue Laser Therapy is a soft tissue treatment that uses the light from lasers to treat severe pain and inflammation. It is a painless and non-invasive way to help reduce the pain directly from the nerve root. It is an effective treatment for this condition, but it should only be used if you can still walk upright without any issues.
It is a very advanced technique that uses light energy to treat nerves and tissues in the body. It helps restore its function by stimulating nerve growth factors, which keeps your muscles and bones healthy, supple, and flexible. It is also safe to use during pregnancy or for sensitive skin. It makes the spine expand and compress. It helps reduce inflammation, relieves pressure on the nerves, encourages blood flow, improves oxygenation to the discs, and removes toxins and fluids from the disc space.
Common Causes of Sciatica
Herniated Lumbar Discs
A herniated lumbar disc occurs when the intervertebral disc loses water, and the inner material escapes its position between two vertebrae. It compresses nearby tissues or irritates nearby nerve roots. The nerve roots supply feeling and movement sensations to your legs, arms, and other lower body parts. As a result, one or more of these nerves are injured and will respond by producing the symptoms of this condition.
Degenerative Disc Disease
It is a common condition that leads to spinal degeneration. As the packing and spongy material inside the disc begin to deteriorate, the disc space between the vertebrae becomes smaller. It means less room for nerves to pass through there. It also means more pressure on these nerves when they move around your spine. It can lead to friction and pinching with these nerves, ultimately leading to the symptoms of this pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Spinal Stenosis is a condition where the vertebrae in your spine become too narrow and does not allow enough room for adjacent spinal nerves to pass through. It happens when your standard disks break down, which leads to the formation of new ones. These can become larger and more rigid than average, making it challenging to fit smoothly into their usual position. These slow your nerves down, which results in pain as they brush up against each other. The result is chronic back pain.
Muscle Strain or Spasm
Muscle strain or spasm is a common causes of the symptoms of this condition. It happens when a nerve root becomes compressed or injured. For example, if you twist your lower back while lifting something, this will stretch the nerve root in that area. This injury can cause these symptoms in the legs, buttocks, and lower back.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction (SI Joint Pain)
The sacroiliac joint is the joint that connects your spine to your pelvis. It comprises five small bones and has a limited range of movement. If it becomes damaged and inflamed, it can cause sciatic nerve pain in the lower back and buttocks. It is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis but can also occur due to tight hip flexors, tight hamstrings, and poor posture.
Subluxation
A subluxation is a partial dislocation of a joint. It happens when the bones in your spine are not lined up. It causes pain, numbness, and tingling sensations in your lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet. It is uncommon and mainly occurs after those with recurrent lumbar back pain have undergone multiple surgeries. It makes the spines slightly out of alignment. It can lead to compressive forces on the nerve roots, which can cause pain and nerve damage.
Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolisthesis is where the vertebrae in your lower back slip forward over each other. It happens when one of them shifts to the right or left and ends up on top of the other. It occurs when your spine grows, making it more susceptible to slipping out of place. The vertebrae can slip a little at a time, causing inflammation that leads to sciatica symptoms. It makes the spine expand and compress. This condition is caused by normal wear and tear of the intervertebral discs. It makes them stiff and less flexible, which can lead to spinal Stenosis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I see a doctor or a chiropractor about Sciatica?
If you suffer from sciatica symptoms and are unsure what to do next, you should see a doctor first. They will make an initial assessment and do a thorough neurological examination. They will be able to determine the extent of your problem and teach you about the various treatments available for your condition. A chiropractor will be able to advise on other types of treatment that could help. If the chiropractor can provide relief after the treatment, this can confirm that you suffer from sciatica symptoms.
What exercises help with Sciatica?
Many people with sciatica symptoms have found that exercising the affected muscles can help to provide relief. The most common exercises for Sciatica are eccentric (negative speed) strength training and linear progressive resistance training. These activities build muscle strength, flexibility, and range of motion in your muscles. Some other exercises that might help include swimming and yoga.
What can I do to relieve my sciatica pain?
The most common treatments for Sciatica are rest, heat, and ice. These are also the first three treatments that your doctor will recommend. They will also recommend specific techniques for dealing with the pain. For example, a pillow under your knees can relieve pressure on sciatic nerves. Try spinal manipulation and massage therapy if your doctor has recommended this. The pain may also be reduced by taking over-the-counter medication such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or muscle relaxants. Acupuncture and spinal manipulation can also help to relieve your sciatica pain.
What is the best treatment for Sciatica?
The best way to deal with your sciatica symptoms is to see a doctor first. They will be able to give you some initial advice, explain the various treatments, and show you what resources are available for you. If your doctor has recommended that you do not need an operation or treatment, that is the most important thing you can do for yourself. They will be able to identify any underlying causes of your condition and recommend the best treatment.
What causes sciatica flare-ups?
Sciatica is a long-term condition that does not tend to go away quickly. It will require you to alter your daily activities and might even keep you from working. When symptoms flare up, it is usually because of a particular action you have been doing. It would be best if you tried to avoid these activities and find alternative ways of carrying out your daily functions. It would help if you also tried to stretch the affected muscles before and after exercising and when the symptoms flare up in the middle of the night. These flare-ups can also be caused by long periods of sitting or sleeping. Your doctor can recommend exercises that can strengthen and stretch your muscles.
How long does Sciatica last?
When asking how long Sciatica lasts, the first thing to consider is what type of Sciatica you have. The most common types of Sciatica are disc-related herniated disc and lumbosacral plexus injuries. Most people who suffer from the first two conditions usually recover within weeks or months, while those with lumbosacral plexus injuries may have more significant problems. Age also plays a part in determining how long this condition lasts. As people get older, their spines become stiffer, making sciatica symptoms more severe.
Sciatica is a common condition that can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the lower back and legs. While several problems can cause it, it is most often due to degenerative changes in the lower spine. When these conditions are diagnosed early, they can be treated relatively easily. Left untreated, they can cause long-term symptoms and chronic pain. Thankfully, your doctor will be able to identify what is causing your sciatica symptoms and recommend the best treatment option for them.
