Sciatica
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a common condition that mainly affects people between the ages of 30 and 70. It is often caused by repeated bad movements and postures, injury to the lumbar discs, but pregnancy, obesity and lack of abdominal muscles can also be the cause.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in the human body. It runs from the lower lumbar region, through the pelvis, down each leg to your toes. The sciatic nerve is responsible for controlling muscle movement and sensation in the legs, feet and toes.
Sciatica is nerve pain of the sciatic nerve that tugs, tingles, burns or numbs the affected lower back and leg. When it becomes inflamed or irritated due to a pinched disc or other injury that puts pressure on this large nerve root, the condition is known as "sciatica." Sciatica affects about 10 % of people at some point in their lives and its symptoms can last from a few days to several months.
If you are experiencing back pain or numbness in one of your legs, but don't know what might be causing it, you may want to consult a chiropractor.
How do you know if you have sciatica?
If you have pain in your back and buttocks, tingling or numbness along your thigh or calf, radiating to the back of your knee or foot, you probably have sciatica.
Sciatica compression can cause tingling sensations in one or more toes as well as difficulty controlling muscles in the pelvic area.Sciatica usually begins gradually and worsens over time.
Sciatica can be diagnosed by a health care professional such as your chiropractor, who can rule out other conditions that may be causing these symptoms.
How is sciatica triggered?
The pain caused by sciatica is usually felt in the back of the thigh, in the buttock and in the lower part of the leg. This pain results from compression of one or more of the five spinal nerve roots that exit your back.
When this compression is prolonged, it can lead to inflammation that causes the muscles around the sciatic nerve to spasm and contract. You may experience this pain if you sit for a long period of time and then get up suddenly or try to get up quickly from a sitting position.
Good posture is necessary to treat sciatica, because when you slouch in a chair that is too soft, your spine is compressed too much and your sciatica pain increases. Treating sciatica means doing your best to keep your spine flexible and stable at the same time.
Your chiropractor will ask you questions about your symptoms and perform a physical examination to determine the cause of your sciatica and to rule out any other conditions that may be causing similar symptoms. A lumbar MRI is often requested to confirm the diagnosis, as it can detect specific abnormalities.
How to relieve sciatica?
In order to relieve sciatica, the chiropractor will work on your spine and do everything possible to reduce nerve interference. Tips that can provide some relief in addition to chiropractic adjustments for sciatica are as follows:
- The rest
- The use of heat or ice
- Lumbar mobilization
- Drink water.
- Give priority to active walking as much as possible.
Who can relieve the sciatic nerve?
The spine is an important structure that allows the nerves to function properly. When there are problems with the spine, they can affect the nerves and cause sciatica, especially in the lower back. If you suffer from chronic back pain, your chiropractor may use manual therapy or spinal adjustments to help reduce nerve irritation.
How long can sciatica last?
It is difficult to estimate how long sciatica will last, as the duration of the condition can vary from person to person. Some people may get relief from chiropractic care in a few days, while others may take weeks or months to feel better.
Is it good to continue physical activity with sciatica?
If you are suffering from acute sciatica, rest is the best thing to do and avoid any exercise that may aggravate your condition. Talk to your chiropractor to find an exercise program that is right for you.
Can chiropractic help sciatica pain?
Yes, chiropractic care can help relieve the pain caused by sciatica. Chiropractors are experts in diagnosing and treating symptoms that affect the spine and nervous system. They can relieve pain and improve your mobility. In chiropractic, each chiropractor uses a variety of methods, such as adjustments and physical, manual therapy, to help reduce inflammation and restore function.
Why doesn't my sciatica go away?
One of the most common questions people ask their chiropractor is why their sciatica doesn't go away. Sciatica can be a very frustrating condition, as it can cause pain and numbness that makes it difficult to perform daily activities. While there is no single answer to this question, there are factors that can contribute to the persistence of sciatica.
One possible reason for the persistence of sciatica is that the underlying cause of the condition has not been treated. Some people may get relief from chiropractic care or other treatments, but if the underlying cause is not corrected, the sciatica may return. Another reason for chronic sciatica may be due to lifestyle factors, such as:
- Obesity
- Bad gestures and posture
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Disc and lumbar degeneration
- A narrow lumbar canal
If these factors are not corrected, sciatica may not be completely resolved. If the underlying cause of your sciatica is not treated or if lifestyle factors are contributing to the persistence of your condition, you should consult a specialist.
What is the most effective treatment for sciatica?
There is no single answer to this question, but many different treatments can be effective for sciatica. In chiropractic we use a number of treatments, such as manual therapy or spinal adjustments, to relieve nerve inflammation and pain, but the best way to know if a treatment is effective for your sciatica is to try it.
Some people find relief after just one treatment, while others need more sessions before they see significant changes. In some cases, it can take weeks or even months for the sciatica to completely disappear.
In chiropractic, however, we have excellent results in relieving sciatica pain.
Do you suffer from sciatica?
Chiropractic adjustments can help relieve pressure on the nerves that cause sciatica by adjusting the vertebrae responsible for the pressure on the nerve. This helps relieve the symptoms of pain, numbness and tingling in the legs. Advice is often given on exercises and lifestyle habits that can speed up the healing process. By following the advice of your chiropractor, you will get more effective and sometimes less expensive treatment.
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