The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body that helps control your leg muscles. It travels from the lower back down each leg. Sciatica pain, sometimes called sciatica, is a common condition that can cause discomfort, numbness, or tingling at various points through the nerve.
Some people experience sciatica pain along the entire nerve, while others only have pain through parts of it. People usually only have pain on one side of their body. Sciatica pain can start as mild lower back pain but become progressively worse.
If untreated, it can go down into the hips, legs, and even feet, causing numbness and tingling. If you have sciatica pain that has not improved with home remedies or over-the-counter medication, it’s time to seek help.
Here, we explore the causes of and treatment for sciatica pain.
What Causes Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica pain refers to the discomfort or pain that originates in the sciatic nerve. The most common cause of sciatica pain is a herniated disc, where the inner gel-like substance of a spinal disc leaks out and irritates the surrounding nerves.
Other causes include:
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Degenerative disc disease
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Spinal stenosis
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Spondylolisthesis
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Muscle spasms in the buttocks or lower back
The severity and duration of the pain can vary, ranging from a mild ache to excruciating discomfort that radiates down the leg.
Available Treatments for Sciatica
There are several ways to treat sciatica, but what most people refer to as treatment is simply managing the symptoms of sciatica pain and not addressing the root cause.
For example, some people use over-the-counter medication to manage their discomfort, but this isn’t a long-term solution. Others may use heat or ice on the lower back in an attempt to reduce their pain.
Exercising and stretching can sometimes help, but if your sciatica pain is severe, it may overwork irritated nerves that have pressure on them and exacerbate your pain.
Steroid injections and surgery are also considered as treatment options for sciatica. While injections may help manage your pain, surgery may lead to a buildup of scar tissue, which can ultimately end up putting more pressure on the sciatic nerve.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care can address the root cause of your sciatica and improve your symptoms. Your chiropractor will start with a thorough exam and x-rays to understand your condition and the origin of your pain and discomfort.
A chiropractor can gently adjust the spine to get discs back into their proper positions to relieve the pressure on spinal nerves. These adjustments can also help restore movement in the spine, which can reduce pressure and lower inflammation.
Your chiropractor will also recommend exercises you can do at home to improve your pain and feel better. Chiropractic care is considered a safe and effective treatment option for sciatica pain as opposed to medication and surgery.
Explore Your Options for Sciatica Treatment With Acute & Wellness Chiropractic
Acute & Wellness Chiropractic has successfully treated many patients suffering from sciatica pain to help them restore their mobility and improve their quality of life. Contact us today to explore your options for effective sciatica treatment and pain relief.