Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is nerve pain that causes tingling, numbness, or a burning sensation anywhere along the path of your sciatic nerve -- from your lower back, down the outside of your buttocks and leg, and all the way to your foot. Sciatic pain is the symptom of an underlying spinal condition, such as a herniated disc or degenerative disc disease.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body, so when it’s irritated, you feel pain anywhere along its path, typically on just one side of your body at a time. If left untreated, sciatica may also radiate into your knee, ankle, and foot, and become a chronic and debilitating condition.

What are common sciatica symptoms?

Sciatica most commonly affects men and women after the age of 20. Typical symptoms include:

• Burning, tingling, or numbness down the back or side of your leg
• Radiating pain to a hip or thigh on one side of your body
• Constant dull leg pain
• Pain when sitting or difficulty getting comfortable while sitting
• Hip pain when lying down
• Difficulty walking
• Buttock pain
• Lower back pain
• Pain relief that comes from changing sitting positions to relieve pressure on the nerve

Symptoms can be temporary, or aggravated by an activity, or chronic, making it difficult to get comfortable.

How does the team diagnose sciatica?

Health care providers who specialize in spinal function, like the team of Chiropractors, Naturopaths, Acupuncturists, and massage therapists at Arbor Vitae Wellness Center, are experts at evaluating your pain and determining the underlying cause. They perform a physical exam, learn about your medical history, and may take X-rays.

The team may also ask you to bend and reach for your toes, along with a series of other pertinent physical movements. This way, they can evaluate the triggers and severity of your pain in relation to everyday movements.

What is the treatment for sciatica?

Your sciatica treatment depends on the underlying cause. Once the team determines if you have a herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, or another spinal condition, they create an individualized, whole-person, holistic treatment plan to treat the condition and provide relief from painful symptoms, as naturally as possible. Your comprehensive sciatica treatment plan may include therapies and techniques such as:

• Lower back stretching exercises
• Alternating heat and cold therapies
• A series of Chiropractic adjustments
• Massage therapy sessions
• Acupuncture sessions
• Physical therapies
• Natural supplements

The goal of sciatica treatment is to alleviate pain and restore mobility while addressing the underlying cause. Don’t wait until the pain becomes debilitating. Call the office or schedule a consultation online today.