Sciatica (pronounced si”ad-a’ka) is a condition caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips and buttocks, down each leg to your thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot, and toes. Some times it radiates into the back as well as down both legs. This is the longest and largest nerve in your body. When the nerve becomes inflamed the pain can be intense like a knife.
What are the signs and symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica may be experienced as tingling, pain, burning, throbbing, prickling, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in any or all of these areas. Some times it feels like a crawling sensation. Certain postural positions make it ease or worse. In severe cases, it can cause wasting of calf muscles. It can cause a loss of the leg reflexes. There is the highest level of disability of all back pain patients for those who suffer from sciatica and low back pain.
What can cause sciatica?
Sciatica could be caused by an unhealthy spine, tight piriformis muscle, a slipped and displaced disc, a herniated disc or a narrowing of the spinal cord in the low back called stenosis. It has been reported to occur following auto injuries, sporting accidents, during pregnancy, with constipation, advanced diabetes, and tumors.
How is sciatica treated?
The quicker it is treated the quicker your recovery. Some experts report that up to 40 percent of people will experience sciatica. If you are suffering, we can help. Many of my patients report dramatic relief after chiropractic care.
During your chiropractic visit, we will perform a thorough examination to get to the bottom of the underlying cause of your symptoms. Then we design an individualized treatment plan to improve the restricted mobility and relieve pressure on nerves that creates pain and suffering. Most importantly, we will locate what muscles are weak, like the psoas, iliacus, piriformis, core…and not working. On follow up, you will be trained how to activate the muscle problems, so you develop a biomechanical balance in the pelvic region, otherwise, you go back to the old neurological programming.
FAQ's
CAN SCIATICA BE TREATED FROM HOME?
Home treatment such as lying on a large, flat ice pack for 20 minutes with your legs up on a chair, knees, and hips at 90 degrees may provide temporary relief. This position opens up the foramina (nerve openings)where the nerves pass. Ice is best used to reduce inflammation and creates plasticity of repair.
ARE THERE ANY NATURAL REMEDIES FOR SCIATICA?
Here are 2 natural remedies I use. Taking turmeric, Meriva 500 from Thorne Research, 500mgs every few hours can help minimize the inflammation. Also, Wobenzme PS is another helpful formulae. Dosage is dependent on the amount of inflammation.