What is Sciatica?
What Is Sciatica?
Another imaginative story that parallels the stories of so many people that walk into our chiropractic office:
Our old buddy Ross came to us with intense low back pain. And when we say intense, we mean it. Not only did his back hurt, but the pain was radiating down his right leg. He could barely stand up straight as he walked in the front door, and finding chiropractic relief from Dr. David was all he could think about. We talked to him about his symptoms, and Dr. David did a quick assessment to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Still, it was obvious to us from the beginning what was likely ailing him: his sciatica.
You may have heard the term “sciatica” thrown around a time or two over the years. Ross sure did. But until we explained it more, he didn’t realize how much he still didn’t know before coming to see his friends at Compassion Family Chiropractic in Lewisville, TX.
Sciatica: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
When we say sciatica, we refer to nerve pain due to an injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest nerve in your body; it originates in the buttock area/lower back and travels down your hips into your leg before ending just below the knee joint. The nerve then branches into other nerves that extend into your feet and toes. Sciatica is extremely common, and in about 90% of those cases, it is the result of a herniated disc with nerve root compression.
Sciatica can also be caused by inflammation, irritation, pinching, or compression in your lower back. And depending on the cause (car accident, sports injury, illness, obesity, normal wear and tear, inactivity, etc.), sciatica pain can come on gradually or be sudden. It can also come and go. And as we said earlier, the pain can be excruciating for many people.
Examples of sciatica symptoms most people experience include the following:
Sharp, shooting jolts of pain in the back, buttocks, hip, and lower extremities
Pain radiating down one leg (can occasionally be in both legs)
Burning or stabbing pain
Pins and needles sensation
Difficulty sitting, standing, or walking for too long
Difficulty twisting your body
Numbness and weakness in severe cases
How Can Sciatica Pain Be Treated?
Many people might first try ice packs and heating pads to decrease pain and inflammation in the nerve. But true sciatica pain relief usually requires treatment from a skilled chiropractor. Your chiropractor in Lewisville, TX, performs diagnostic tests and manual exams to pinpoint the root cause of your nerve pain and recommend a specific treatment plan to eliminate the pain as quickly as possible.
Remember that chiropractic adjustments aren’t the same for every patient, just like no two chiropractic patients’ ongoing care plans are created the same — even if their symptoms or pain are similar. Their spinal alignments are also unique, as is their posture, pain levels, range of motion, medical histories, etc. Our job is to employ a variety of gentle and specific chiropractic adjustments to correct the root issues of your pain and dysfunction throughout the entire spine.
You’d be surprised what is causing your sciatica discomfort, and it’s not always the same as someone else.
Want to know what chiropractic patients are saying about Compassion Family Chiropractic in Lewisville? Here are some reviews.
Call Compassion Family Chiropractic Today!!
At Compassion Family Chiropractic in Lewisville, TX, our goal is for you and your family to feel like a part of ours. On your first visit, you will be greeted by warm smiles and a whole team that is happy and willing to serve you. We aim to provide you with the most thorough and effective chiropractic care available while treating you with unparalleled service all along the way. We look forward to the opportunity to become your family’s home for chiropractic care in Lewisville!
Give us a call today at (469) 240-2322. To learn more about Dr. David Ravdin, click here.
