Sciatica is a type of pain that affects the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that extends from the lower back down the back of each leg. Most often the sciatica is localized on one side of the body although it can affect both sides of the body at the same time. Sciatica is a medical term for specific symptoms. The people here at Sugar Land Chiropractors understand the extreme pain and discomfort that is caused by sciatica. The doctors at Sugar Land Chiropractors are well versed in the treatment of sciatica. Some of the symptoms that one can experience with the sciatic nerve are as follows:
* Lower back pain
* Hip pain
* Burning or tingling down the leg
* Lower back pain
* Weakness or numbness down the leg or in the foot
* Difficulty moving the foot
Sciatica can be caused by many different things as one can feel confident in the fact that the doctor at Sugar Land Chiropractors is trained to understand the causes and cures of sciatica. One common cause of sciatica is trauma to the lower back. Other causes of sciatica can include age-related thinning of the spinal discs in the lower back which would cause muscle spasms that impinge on the sciatic nerve. The most common cause of sciatica is spinal stenosis. Spinal stenosis is defined as the narrowing of the holes in the spine that nerves pass through. This occurs from the result of aging. As a person ages, the spinal disks naturally dry out and get thinner. When the happens, the spinal bones start to move closer together which causes the passages between them to become narrower. When these small holes compress on the sciatic nerve then the result is pain. Other causes of sciatica are:
* Lumbar spinal stenosis – the narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back
* Degenerative disc disease – the breakdown of discs that act as cushions between the vertebrae
* Spondylolistheses – a condition where one vertebra slips forward over another vertebra
* Pregnancy
* Tense muscles
* Obesity
* Wearing high heels
* Sleeping on a mattress that does not support the body correctly
Sugar Land Chiropractors | When You Need The Experts?
When a person has sciatica, it becomes imperative to find a way to manage the pain. The employees of Sugar Land Chiropractors can assist the patient with managing pain caused by sciatica. Sciatica is not something a person has to live with; there are many options one can do to alleviate the pain. Since tense muscles can cause pain often yoga and stretches will help with the pain. It is important to do stretches that focus on the muscles in the back and thigh. The staff at Sugar Land Chiropractors know the best way to teach the patient how to correctly do stretches and exercises in order to minimize the pain of sciatica. Treating the muscles with ice and heat can also be very beneficial in reducing the symptoms. If a person is required to sit for long periods of time it is highly recommended for that person to get up and move about every twenty minutes to assist in relieving the pressure on the sciatic nerve. Some people find that over the counter medications such as NSAIDs like aspirin and ibuprofen help manage the pain.
There are definite treatment options for sciatica. The doctor at Sugar Land Chiropractors will provide each patient with their own personalized treatment plan in order to get them back to normal as soon as possible. Many people start out trying home remedies but find that this does not work effectively over time. While some doctors tend to recommend surgery immediately, many times this kind of invasive treatment is not necessary.
People with sciatica usually respond well to chiropractic care. Since the pain from sciatica may be severe and sharp, a visit to your chiropractor can go a long way into alleviating the symptoms and pain of sciatica. The chiropractor can do adjustments on a person to assist in realigning the spine. Thus, taking the pressure off the nerve and often bringing quick relief to the patient. The doctor here at Sugar Land Chiropractors is highly trained in performing adjustments on patients. It is important that these adjustments are done correctly in order to best aid the patient in healing.
While adjustments can be key to helping the sciatic nerve to heal the chiropractor may suggest the use of a Tens device or ultrasound. The doctor at Sugar Land Chiropractors understands the importance of treatment with the Tens device and ultrasound device and recommends this for many of the patients. The tens device is a transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation with sends mild electrical currents to the affected area. A Tens device can bring relief because the mild electric current relaxes muscle spasms and increase endorphins which aid in the healing of sciatica. The ultrasound device warms the area, and this increases the circulation within the body and reduces the swelling and muscle tension. Using both the Tens device and ultrasound device at the same appointment is most effective. Other options of treatment include ice therapy and massage therapy. A person can benefit from both treatments to aid in healing their sciatic nerve.
Some people find that sciatica may correct itself without the aid of a doctor or chiropractor. Although, here at Restoration Health we find that it is always a good idea to schedule a visit with a chiropractor when the sciatic nerve is creating pain, numbness or tingling. Being treated by a chiropractor, such as the one at Sugar Land Chiropractors, will usually rule out any surgery or invasive treatment. Also, while under a chiropractor’s care there is usually no need for strong pain medication which can be expensive or addictive. Exercises are very important in the care of sciatica due to the strong muscles in the back this aid in preventing a recurring sciatic attack. In most cases, it takes some time to for most patients to heal completely.