Sciatica is leg pain caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back. Although the pangs begin in nerve roots located on either side of the lower spine, they then course through the sciatic nerve, which runs the length of each leg from the buttock down to the foot. The leg agony, called radiculopathy, “is often worse than the back pain,” says William A. Abdu, MD, medical director of the Spine Center at Dartmouth-
Hitchcock Medical Center. Usually felt in one leg, the sensation “can be intolerable,” says Birgit Ruppert, a physical therapist at the Spine Center. “Some people liken it to the nerve pain you experience if you have a toothache.”
The most common cause is a herniated disk: When a disk develops a tear and bulges into the spinal canal, it can pinch the sciatic nerve. Usually symptoms clear up within about 6 weeks, but for some people, the pain can last.
The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back to the back of each leg. Sciatica is a condition that affects this nerve. It usually affects only one side of the lower body. Most people will experience pain at the lower back all through the thigh to the legs. Sometimes the pain can be felt on the toes or foot especially for severe cases. A Chiropractor Parkland FL can help you treat and further understand this condition.
There are several causes of sciatica. It can be caused by a pinched nerve in the lower back. There are other conditions such as pregnancy, spondylolisthesis, degenerative disc disorder and spinal stenosis that cause sciatica.
There are various factors that put you at an increased risk of sciatica. They include:
A Parkland Chiropractor may recommend treating sciatica using ice/cold therapy. This is beneficial in reducing inflammation and also alleviating sciatica pain.
The Chiropractor Parkland FL may also recommend spinal manipulations to restore misaligned vertebrae in the spine. Various spinal adjustment techniques are used to control sciatic pain and also help relieve muscle tension.
Ultrasound can be used to treat sciatic pain. The heat gently penetrates into the deep tissues, enhancing blood circulation which helps to reduce muscle spasms, swelling, pain and stiffness.
Before any course of treatment is recommended, we take time to understand what is causing the patient’s sciatica. This will entail reviewing the patient’s medical history and performing physical exams and neurological tests. Different tests including MRI, CT scan and x-rays may be recommended in order to help detect any contradictions to chiropractic therapies.
If you are suffering from sciatica pain, seeking treatment from a Chiropractor Parkland Fl will not only help you to manage the pain but also improve the body’s ability to heal itself. Chiropractic care methods are completely safe and non-invasive. You never have to rely on drugs to deal with pain and inflammation. We take time to select a chiropractic treatment plan that is perfectly suited for you.