Chiropractic Corner
As a chiropractor, I am asked about sciatica several times a week. The questions usually involve if I treat it, what it is, what causes it and how long will take to get rid of it. These are good questions, and I am sure that for every person that asks, there are many more who have these questions but don’t ask or may not even know who to ask. So, lets answer these questions. Sciatica is simply defined as persistent pain along the sciatic nerve, which is the longest and widest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower back, down the back of the thigh and into the lower leg. Its job is to control the muscles of the lower leg and provides sensation to the thighs, legs and soles of the feet. Sciatica can be described as a sharp, shooting or electrical pain or numbness and tingling. Sciatica occurs most commonly in people between the ages of 30 and 50 years old. Most often, it tends to develop as a result of general wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine.
Sciatica is a relatively common form of low-back and leg pain, but the term is often misused. Sciatica is actually a set of symptoms — not the cause of nerve irritation and pain. So, what is the cause?
Sciatica is largely triggered by compression of the sciatic nerve. isorders known to cause sciatic pain consist of lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebrae), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy and childbirth. One common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome, which is named after the piriformis muscle. The sciatic nerve runs below the piriformis muscle in the pelvis. Injuries, such as a slip and fall, hip arthritis or a difference in leg length can cause spasm of the piriformis muscle, resulting in pressure being placed on the sciatic nerve and causing sciatica.
Chiropractors routinely treat patients with sciatica, and for most people, sciatica responds quite well to this conservative care. Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive (non-surgical), drug-free treatment option. The aim of chiropractic care is to reestablish proper spinal alignment and movement, thereby improving function, while reducing pain and inflammation. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, a chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods, including but not limited to spinal adjustments, acupuncture, ice/heat therapy, ultrasound, TENS and rehabilitative exercises and/or stretching.
When more invasive procedures or treatments are needed, your medical doctor may recommend anti- inflammatory medications, such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and/or oral steroids. Epidural steroid injections can also reduce inflammation around the nerve root and the associated low back pain. Surgery may also be considered as a treatment option, usually (but not always) following a course of conservative treatments.
While it’s not always possible to prevent sciatica, consider these suggestions to help protect your back and improve your spinal health.
• Maintain a healthy diet and weight.
• Exercise regularly.
• Maintain proper posture.
• Avoid prolonged inactivity.
•Use proper ergonomics when lifting. Many cases of sciatica can be resolved within a few weeks using conservative treatment methods. However, this is not the case for all patients. For some, sciatica can last much longer, even for several months.
After back problems are diagnosed, the duration and type of treatment will need to be adjusted on a patient-by-patient basis.
If you suffer from sciatica and haven’t sought treatment, it is important to get it checked out. Commonly, the longer the patient has had pain, the longer the recovery time will be. So, sooner is definitely better than later when it comes to treating sciatica.
Dr. Daren Overmiller practices at Childress Specific Chiropractic, 210 Commerce St. To contact Childress Specific Chiropractic, call 940-937-6600.
