chiropractor Madison AL team is excited to show you how to get out of pain and on a journey toward true health. If you’re looking for quick relief for neck or back pain, we can help. Or maybe you want to manage a condition like sciatica or arthritis without invasive surgery or pain medication. At Health Source of Madison, we use a combination of chiropractic care and our exclusive Progressive Rehab approach to get you fast, effective pain relief and help you stay healthier.
Sciatica Pain:
The term sciatica describes the symptoms of leg pain—and
possibly tingling, numbness, or weakness—that originate in the lower back and
travel through the buttock and down the large sciatic nerve in the back of each
leg.
Sciatica (pronounced sigh-at-eh-kah) is not a medical diagnosis in and of
itself—it is a symptom of an underlying medical condition. Common lower back
problems that can cause sciatica symptoms include a lumbar herniated disc,
degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis.
Sciatica Symptoms:
Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:
Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
Pain that is worse when sitting
Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or searing (versus a
dull ache)
Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes
A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk
Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (it rarely
occurs only in the foot).
Sciatic pain can vary from infrequent and irritating to constant and
incapacitating. Symptoms are usually based on the location of the pinched
nerve.
While symptoms can be painful and potentially debilitating, it is rare that permanent sciatic nerve damage (tissue damage) will result, and spinal cord involvement is possible but rare.
Course of Sciatica Pain:
Sciatica rarely occurs before age 20, and becomes more commonplace in middle
age. It is most likely to develop around age 40 or 50.
Perhaps because the term sciatica is often used loosely to describe leg pain,
estimates of its prevalence vary widely. Some researchers have estimated it
will affect up to 43% of the population at some point.1, 2
Often, a particular event or injury does not cause sciatica—rather it tends to
develop over time.
The vast majority of people who experience sciatica get better within a few
weeks or months and find pain relief with nonsurgical sciatica treatment.1 For
others, however, the leg pain from a pinched nerve can be severe and debilitating.
Treatments:
1 Physical therapy.
A physical therapist can develop a stretching and exercise routine for you, and
also help improve your posture to take pressure off the sciatic nerve.
2 Stretching. You can help relieve your sciatica pain with lower-back
stretches.
3 Exercise. Inflammation can improve when
you’re in motion, so short walks can be a good idea. Your physical therapist
can make sure your form is correct so you don’t injure yourself any further.
4 Limited bed rest. Three days off your feet usually does the trick,
and it’s important to be on a firm mattress or the floor. After that, it’s best
to return to your normal activities.
5 Hot and cold packs. Apply each for several minutes on your lower
back, a few times a day. Cold packs first for a few days, then heat.