The Sciatic Nerve
Get Relief From Your Sciatica
Pain, especially in your lower back, can stop you from enjoying your life. Don’t let yourself be limited by your sciatica.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is usually indicated by pain that radiates through the hips and buttocks, down the leg from the lower back along the path of the sciatic nerve. This pain is due to irritation of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest nerve in the body. Lower back pain is a common ailment, and most people can expect to suffer some form of it at some point in their lives. Usually, it is triggered by everyday activities, but also can be aggravated by accidents. Typically, symptoms of lower back pain signal that the structure of your lower back (the muscles, joints, discs, and vertebrae) has weakened over time and has decreased in stability and functionality. This compromised structure cannot support your spine adequately, causing pain, weakness, and loss of movement.
Causes of Sciatica
The irritation is usually caused by spinal disc herniation putting pressure on the lumbar or sacral nerve roots. Other causes of sciatica include irritation of the nerve from spasms, stenosis, and inflammation. Pain can be felt anywhere along the nerve pathway, and can vary greatly from mild to sharp. Weakness or numbness or tingling can occur. If you raise your leg while lying on your back, you may feel pain shooting through your lower leg on one side of the body. Sciatica is more common between the ages of 40 to 60. Risk factors for Sciatica include age-related changes in the spine, obesity, excessive driving of a motor vehicle, load-bearing work, sitting for long periods, and diabetes.
Sciatica Prevention
- Regular Exercise
- Proper posture while sitting
- Do not use your back to lift
- Avoid heavy lifting
- Lift and sit properly
Sciatic Treatment
Chiropractic care can provide effective means of targeting the lower back. Chiropractic interventions that have proven effective include spinal manipulation, Cox Flexion-Distraction, Active Release Therapy, and Graston technique.
If your pain is severe, or worsening contact or call us for an examination and treatment.
