The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body, running from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. It plays a significant role in the body’s overall balance and function, helping the muscles in the legs and feet move and allowing you to feel sensation in the legs.
It will likely come as no surprise that when this critical nerve is injured, the body can feel a multitude of symptoms ranging in severity. Sciatica affects the lower part of the body, and when your legs and hips are in pain, visiting your local chiropractor can drastically improve your comfort level and quality of life.
In this post, we’re answering your questions about sciatica, including:
- What is sciatica?
- Who gets sciatica?
- What chiropractic services help end sciatica?
- And more
Having a well-working body is important to every aspect of your life. When we’re in pain, work, family, social, and physical activities can pay the price. If you want to learn how to end your sciatica pain with chiropractic care so you can enjoy living again, this post is for you.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a painful condition that affects the sciatic nerve, generally occurring due to pressure put on it. Because the nerve takes up the lower part of the body, there are many opportunities for this to happen.
Most of us rely on our hips and legs for everyday movements. When experiencing sciatica, these movements can become strained, be debilitating, or even cause further injury to other areas because of overcompensation.
What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica affects people differently; it can be a dull ache in the hip or the inability to walk because the legs are in so much pain. Either way, chiropractic care can help end your sciatica by pulling from several natural services and techniques.
Some common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Pain that travels from the lower back into the lower buttock
- Pain that travels from the lower back to the back of the thigh
- Pain that travels from the lower back to the calf
- Mild and dull aching pain running through the nerve
- Sharp pain running through the nerve
- Burning sensation throughout the nerve’s pathway
- Sudden jolting pain along the nerve
- Sciatic pain when sitting for long periods
- Numbness or tingling along the sciatic nerve
- Muscle weakness along the sciatic nerve
- One part of the leg experiencing pain, as other areas feel numb
In most cases, sciatica only affects one side of the body, forcing the other side to carry a larger burden than it’s meant to. While it can be incredibly uncomfortable; safe, reliable chiropractic treatments may be all you need to end it for good.
Why Do I Have Sciatica?
Whether you’re healthy and athletic or sit for almost the whole day, you can be affected by sciatica. The sciatic nerve can become pinched for various reasons, no matter your lifestyle. A forceful sneeze, a car accident, pregnancy- you name it, it may have caused it.
Some common reasons people get sciatica include:
- Age-related issues such as degenerative disc disease
- Weight gain and pregnancy
- Work-related activities that require spine overuse
- Driving or sitting for prolonged periods
- Standing for prolonged periods
- Exercise or athletics with consistent spinal motions
Most of the time, sciatica happens because of a herniated disc in the spine. However, it can also be due to a bone spur, tumor, or chronic condition such as diabetes or arthritis.
When the nerve receives pressure, it can become inflamed and lead to your discomfort, making life difficult, but the good news is that sciatica can usually be cured through chiropractic care.
Chiropractic Solutions for Sciatica
Get the gentle yet highly effective solutions for your sciatic pain that you and your body deserve. Using various holistic solutions that work together to ensure a fast and safe outcome, chiropractic can alleviate your discomfort, balance the spine, restore flexibility, and put an end to your sciatica.
Some chiropractic solutions that treat sciatica include:
- Chiropractic adjustments– aligning the spine and getting the herniated disc back into place so it supports you correctly will stop the pressure put on the sciatic nerve
- Exercise therapy and functional rehab– stretches and exercise designed around your body and its needs will strengthen and rejuvenate the soft tissues and joints in the back, hips, and legs, releasing pressure that’s affecting the sciatic nerve
- Graston Technique– tools used on the skin that target specific points of the back and hips, breaking up scar tissue that causes injury to the sciatic nerve
- Dry needling and acupuncture– tiny needles superficially inserted into the skin can help minimize the tightness of back muscles and decrease compression on the spine and sciatic nerve
While chiropractic is one of the best ways to support and empower your body naturally, preventative care is also a good decision.
Some ways to help prevent sciatica include:
- Exercise regularly (even if it’s just walking)
- If you need to sit for long periods, take breaks and stretch
- If you need to stand for long periods, take breaks and rest
- Ensure you have good posture
- Use your body properly- pick things up the right way, carry heavy items the right way, etc.
- Don’t overextend your spine and back’s soft tissues
Whether you’re active or sedentary, be sure to take care of your body so it can support you.
The Takeaway
Don’t let your sciatica keep you from living life to the fullest. Not with so many safe chiropractic services in Burlington to help get your pain under control. With non-invasive treatments and preventative care, you can get the strong, fully functioning body you want.
Let’s get you comfortable and enjoying your activities again. Book today.
