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Sciatic pain can be painful, but a Charlotte NC chiropractor may be able to help! ChiroCarolina® offers chiropractic treatment for sciatic pain, which often starts in the lower back or buttock and moves into one or both legs. The pain from a sciatic nerve can vary in intensity and frequency. Pain can be minimal and infrequent, or severe and constant. Often, sciatic pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, pins and needles or like electric shock. Sometimes people report feeling burning, numbness or even tingling. Often people mistakenly refer to sciatic as a disorder, when in fact; it is a symptom of another disorder.
Sciatic pain is typically caused by nerve compression
Often sciatic pain is caused by sciatic nerve compression. Disorders that can cause sciatic nerve pain can include the following:
- Lumbar spine subluxations
- Herniated or bulging discs (also known as slipped disks)
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Tumors
- Other non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or even sitting on a wallet in the back pocket
Another cause of sciatic pain that is fairly common is Piriformis Syndrome. This is named after the piriformis muscle that is located on the lower part of the spine. It connects to the thighbone and can assist in hip rotation. Because the sciatic nerve runs below this muscle, the piriformis muscle is often injured by slip and fall, hip arthritis, or even a difference in leg length. Any of these conditions can cause a pinched sciatic nerve and cause inflammation and pain.
Chiropractic treatment can relieve sciatica pain and symptoms
One of the goals of chiropractic treatment at ChiroCarolina® in Charlotte NC is to help the body heal itself because chiropractors know that restricted spinal movement can lead to pain and reduced function. Often the type of treatment for sciatic nerve pain depends on the cause. A treatment plan for sciatica can include cold therapy, ultrasound and even spinal adjustment. Cold therapy can reduce inflammation, which can help control sciatica pain. Ultrasound creates sound waves and is gentle heat that penetrates tissues—this can increase circulation and help reduce muscle spasms and pain. Adjustments can help because they help free restricted movement of the spin. By restoring misaligned vertebrae to their proper positions, it can reduce nerve irritation.
If sciatic pain seems to be caused by a disorder that cannot effectively be treated by chiropractic care, experienced chiropractors at ChiroCarolina® in Charlotte NC may refer patients to another type of doctor. Often, the chiropractor will continue to treat the patient, alongside the specialist to provide drug-free pain relief. Working with the specialist in Charlotte NC, the chiropractor will co-manage the patient’s care.
When patients first start to have sciatic pain, they often stay in bed and avoid physical activity. While this a good idea for the initial flare up, people often benefit from exercise. If a patient avoids activity for too long where pain leads to inactivity, which leads to more pain, causing a painful cycle.
Often, some sciatic pain will go away after a few weeks of chiropractic treatment. However, some patients experience sciatic pain for much longer. But, the first step is diagnosis. Once a chiropractor has diagnosed the source of the pain, they will be able to come up with a comprehensive treatment plan. Duration and also the intensity of treatment will be adjusted according to the patient’s needs.
Do you have sciatic pain? Contact the experienced chiropractors at ChiroCarolina® in Charlotte NC for relief of sciatic nerve pain today!
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