Sciatica Treatment
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of pain that arises due to dysfunction or compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the biggest nerve in the body and extends from the lower back into the lower limb where it branches out and innervates (neurologically powers) the posterior muscles of the leg.
Symptoms are caused when the nerve roots in the lower back become compressed or obstructed. The whole limb is affected and can result in pain arising from the lower back which travels down the posterior leg. This type of symptom/s is what we generally know today as ‘sciatica’.
What are the symptoms of Sciatica?
The common symptoms of sciatica can present as follows
- lower back/pelvic pain
- Pain in the posterior leg that is made worse with sitting
- Weakness, numbness or difficulty with leg motion
- Symptoms in one leg but not the other
- Shooting, burning or tingling down the leg
What are the causes of Sciatica?
There are many causes of Sciatica. Some of the more common ones are:
- Age-related changes to the spine (i.e. bone spurs, spondyloarthritis)
- Increased pressure on the spinal cord (i.e. disc herniation, anterolisthesis)
- Tight/inflamed muscles in the lower back or buttock (typically associated with periods of long sitting or repetitive lifting of heavy loads)
- Diabetes which is associated with an increase in neurological symptoms in the limbs
Sciatica treatment – can Chiropractic help?
Chiropractic therapy can be used in the treatment of sciatic nerve pain relief. A conservative, non-invasive approach is used by our team in sciatica treatment as an alternative to surgery. Treatment at Back Pain Relief Clinic focuses on relaxing the muscles of the lower back and correcting any abnormal joint movement, which may be causing/attributing to the sciatic symptoms of the patient.
Activity modification and mobility exercises are also often prescribed by our practitioners to make sure the structures of the lower back and pelvis stay in a healthy state to avoid the reoccurrence of symptoms. Book in today and get going fast, minus the pain in the ass!