The word “sciatica” relates to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which begins in the lower back and branches out through the hips and buttocks and then down each leg. While sciatica-related pain can at times be severe, it is treatable within a few weeks through the use of chiropractic adjustment specially designed for sciatica relief.
Let’s review sciatica causes and symptoms:
Causes
Sciatica is the result of the sciatica nerve being compressed, leading to pain, inflammation, and in some cases, numbness in the affected leg (not legs, plural, because sciatica usually affects only one side of the body). The most common causes of nerve compression are a bone spur, a narrowing of the spine (called spinal stenosis), or a herniated disc.
Symptoms
A wide pain spectrum accompanies any case of sciatica. Some sufferers feel only a dull ache, while others experience a sharp, burning sensation. Less common are those people who endure excruciating pain, making it tough to walk or stand. Another pain type is a feeling akin to an electric shock or a sudden jolt. As mentioned above, this pain is usually felt on one side of the body only, and can be exacerbated by extended periods of sitting. Coughing and sneezing can also worsen the pain.
Regardless of its exact level and nature, the pain can occur anywhere along the length of the sciatica nerve, from the buttocks down to the back of the leg, including the thigh and calf. Sometimes pain is experienced along the entire nerve length and other times it’s concentrated in one or two spots. Along with feelings of pain, it’s not uncommon for sciatica sufferers to report numbness or muscle weakness in their foot or leg. Occasionally, pain and numbness/weakness can occur simultaneously along different parts of the nerve’s pathway.
Mild sciatica will disappear in time, often without the need for treatment. However, if the pain lasts longer than a week or gets increasingly worse, Active Life Chiropractic in Charlotte suggests you visit our clinic, as this could be a sign of a serious condition, i.e. a slipped disc. We also recommend making an appointment with us if:
● Your sciatica comes directly after a significant injury, i.e. a car accident
● You experience trouble with bowel or bladder control
● Sudden, severe pain affects your lower back or leg, or you experience sudden, severe numbness or muscle weakness in your leg
How can a chiropractor help?
If you experience prolonged sciatica, there are several ways a chiropractor in Charlotte can help. One way is to work on improving your flexibility and muscle strength, particularly those muscles which support your back. We’ll also implement exercises that will help improve your posture.
In cases of sciatica caused by restricted spinal mobility, spinal adjustment and manipulation is an acknowledged solution for alleviating sciatica and lower back pain in general. Spinal adjustment not only increases spinal mobility, it also reduces sciatica-related pain and improves overall back and spinal function.
For more information about sciatica treatment near Charlotte, contact Active Life Chiropractic today.