Sciatica Treatment Hillsboro, OH
Sciatica is a common pain condition that affects the large sciatic nerve running down the back of the leg. While mild cases often resolve on their own, chronic pain and muscle weakness related to sciatica require treatment. Sciatica treatment can help you return to your everyday life.
If you are looking to relieve sciatic nerve pain, let Restoration Wellness in Hillsboro help. Our team offers a range of non-invasive treatments to help relieve chronic pain. Call us at (937) 661-6060 to learn more.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is a sharp, radiating leg pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back, where it branches to innervate the hip, buttocks, legs, and feet. Sciatica pain usually affects one side of the body and can extend down the back of the leg. Sciatica has been reported by up to 40 percent of the population.
Signs and symptoms of sciatica include:
- Burning or tingling sensation down the back of the leg
- Hip pain
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the buttocks or leg that is aggravated when sitting
- Persistent pain on one side of the buttocks
- Shooting pain that makes standing up difficult
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
“Sciatica pain usually affects one side of the body and can extend down the back of the leg.”
Causes and Risk Factors
Sciatica is a condition that commonly occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched by a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis. Along with other spinal conditions, pregnancy and muscle spasms can also irritate the sciatic nerve, which is well protected by thick buttock muscles.
Several individual and lifestyle factors increase a person's risk of sciatica, including:
- Being overweight
- Diabetes
- Lack of regular exercise
- Older age (also attributed to spinal changes)
- Poor working posture (driving for long periods, regularly twisting the back, or carrying heavy objects)
- Sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft
- Smoking
- Wearing high-heeled shoes
“Sciatica is a condition that commonly occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched by a herniated disc.”
When to See a Chiropractor
Some people recover from sciatica without professional treatment. These persons benefit from at-home exercises and stretches, including common yoga poses, which are helpful to alleviate pain. However, if a person experiences even mild sciatica for more than a month, then it is time to see a chiropractor. Furthermore, if any of the following symptoms persist with sciatica pain, a person should seek medical attention right away:
- Burning sensation when urinating or bloody urine
- Fever
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Numbness or weakness in the upper thighs
- Swelling or redness in the spine
“If a person experiences even mild sciatica for more than a month, then it is time to see a chiropractor.”
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Sciatica Diagnosis
To diagnose sciatica, a chiropractor will first perform a physical exam to test muscle strength, balance, and certain activities related to pain, such as walking on one’s toes or heels. Then, if sciatic nerve pain is severe enough, the patient may be required to undergo imaging (X-ray, MRI, or CT scan) to determine the exact cause of pain, like a pinched nerve or narrow spinal canal.
Far too often, people attempt to try and wait the pain out, avoiding treatment. This will only allow the pain and related symptoms to worsen over time. By seeking professional chiropractic care, patients can also ensure they receive the proper diagnosis.
“If sciatic nerve pain is severe enough, the patient may be required to undergo imaging.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. When should I see a doctor for sciatica?
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Q. Who can benefit from chiropractic treatment?
Sciatica Treatment
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain by alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve. Many treatment options reduce sciatica pain, including lifestyle changes, prescription medication, physical therapy, and surgery. At-home remedies and self-care include the use of cold or hot packs, stretching exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Chiropractic treatments for sciatica include spinal stretching and muscle release techniques and applying controlled pressure to joints.
Additional treatments for more severe sciatica include:
- Physical therapy to relax tight muscles and improve posture, flexibility, and strength
- Prescription medication, such as anti-inflammatory or anti-seizure drugs, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or tricyclic antidepressants
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain
- Surgery to repair the herniated disc or remove bone growths
“Chiropractic treatments for sciatica include spinal stretching and manipulation techniques.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the sciatic nerve?
A. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve that branches off the spinal cord and belongs to a group of nerves in the lower back called the lumbosacral plexus. It has both sensory and motor functions that enable actions like walking, running, climbing, and standing.
Q. What spinal conditions cause sciatica?
A. Several lower back problems put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Spinal conditions associated with sciatica include:
- Herniated disc – bulging disc material compresses the sciatic nerve
- Piriformis syndrome – tightening of the muscle that connects the lower spine to the thighbones
- Spinal stenosis – narrowing spinal canal due to age or bone growth
- Spondylolisthesis – one vertebra slides over another to compress the nerve
Q. What stretches are good for sciatica?
A. Stretches that externally rotate or open the hips are usually recommended to provide relief, including common yoga poses, like the reclining pigeon pose, sitting spinal stretch, or standing hamstring stretch. It is important to ease into stretches and stop if someone feels pain.
Q. Can yoga improve sciatic nerve pain?
A. Yoga can help someone improve their posture, core strength, flexibility, and balance, which effectively lessen pressure on the sciatic nerve. In addition, yoga offers physical and psychological benefits of exercise and relaxation.
Q. How does poor health contribute to sciatica?
A. Poor health, like being overweight, diabetes, or lack of exercise, contributes to the condition of sciatica as they put additional stress on the spine or sciatic nerve.
Start Feeling Better – Visit Us Today
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
Definitions
Learn More About Sciatica
Sciatica is common and may go away on its own over time. However, chronic sciatica requires treatment. Medications may be prescribed to relieve pain symptoms, and stretching exercises can help open the hips and improve posture. However, chiropractic care is non-invasive and is often needed to release pressure on the sciatic nerve.
If someone is in search of sciatica treatment in Hillsboro, let Restoration Wellness help. Call us at 937-661-6060 to learn more about our services and policies.
Helpful Related Links
- Academy of Chiropractic. Academy of Chiropractic. 2022
- American Chiropractic Association. American Chiropractic Association, ACA Blog. 2022
- WebMD, Chiropractic Care for Back Pain. WebMD, Chiropractic Care for Back Pain. 2022
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