If you have ever experienced a shooting, piercing pain running from your lower back to the legs, then you could be suffering from sciatica leg pain. Sciatic is the longest nerve in the body that goes from the buttocks down to the toes. The sciatic nerve can experience pain when there is a trapped nerve, disc herniation, trigger point referral, or you have Piriformis syndrome.
Symptoms
- Leg pain that becomes worse when sitting
- Tingling or burning that runs down your leg
- Feelings of numbness, weakness, or having difficulty moving your foot or entire leg
- A constant pain on one side of your lower back
- An extreme and intolerable pain that makes it hard for you to stand up
Treatment
Sciatica pain can become unbearable; however, chiropractic care can help relieve it gently and naturally.
- Diagnosing Sciatica. The first step in treating sciatica is to get an accurate diagnosis. If you are experiencing the symptoms of sciatica, a chiropractor can examine you and review your medical history to find out the cause of the pain you are suffering from.
- Chiropractic Massage Therapy. This type of therapy is a powerful way of relieving sciatica pain. It can cause deep muscle relaxation and release endorphins that are natural painkillers. Chiropractic massage is focused more on soothing and healing sciatica, unlike a regular spa massage. Chiropractors know and understand the entire musculoskeletal system and know how and where to apply pressure to make sure the healing process begins.
- Heat and Cold Therapies. Chiropractors alternate using cold and heat therapy to provide fast relief from sciatica pain. The heat releases tight muscles and eases the pain away. The cold will slow down the blood flow and relieve the symptoms you are feeling with the inflammation. The chiropractor will know which therapy to use, whether it is one or the other or both.
- Ultrasound and Other Therapies. An ultrasound uses gentle heat that is produced by sound waves, which enters deep into the body’s tissues. An ultrasound can improve circulation, decrease cramping, swelling, muscle spasms, and pain. Other types of therapies include low-level laser therapy, or cold therapy, which lessens irritation and swelling. Chiropractors can also use the TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. The TENS unit is a small battery-powered nerve stimulating machine that helps relax muscle spasms, increase endorphins, and lessens pain.
- Chiropractic Adjustments. Chiropractors are able to apply spinal manipulations so a herniated disc can rest back into place and relieve any pressure off the sciatic nerve. Adjustments also allow for free spinal movement and repair misaligned vertebral discs. When this technique is used, the chiropractor can either use a quick high-velocity thrust or use a minimal force and gentle pressure. This technique allows the chiropractor to softly move the lower back vertebral to avoid pressing on the sciatic nerve. This decreases the pain and allows nerve signal flow and mobility to return.
- Spinal Decompression. There are times when the discs in your spine become naturally dry and thin, causing pinched nerves and spine compression. A chiropractor will use spinal decompression to help ease the compression of the nerves, which can include techniques to lengthen the spine and increase the space between the vertebra.
- Chiropractic Exercises. A chiropractor can recommend certain exercises that will avoid exasperating the sciatic nerve and will help in getting rid of the pressure that is caused by inflamed and tight muscles. These exercises you can do right in the comfort of your own home. Yoga can also relieve the pain, including the pigeon pose that stretches the piriformis muscle which releases the pressure on the nerve and helps alleviate any irritations.
- Lifestyle Changes. A chiropractor will also look at all areas of your life and may suggest new ways of sitting, standing, sleeping, and lifting in order to protect the way the sciatic nerve is positioned. The suggestions he or she makes can help strengthen your back muscles to keep the disc in place. This is very important because the stronger your back is, the less likely your discs will come out of its correct position to put pressure on the sciatic nerve again.
Sciatica pain can be very debilitating and intolerable. Even though it is common, no one should have to experience the pain it can cause. If you believe you are experiencing sciatica pain, call North County Pain Relief today to set up an appointment with one of our well-trained chiropractors. We have the skills and knowledge to help relieve the pain you are experiencing and want you to get back to enjoying life once again.
