- Sciatica
Sciatica can cause severe pain or numbness in your leg. In the worst cases, you may experience a loss of bowel control. As soon as you suspect you may have sciatica, it is a good idea to seek treatment that can prevent these symptoms from worsening.
For more information on your Davie sciatica treatment options, call Specific Care Chiropractic at 239-369-9109 today. We can discuss your symptoms and develop a treatment plan suited to your unique needs. We may suggest a combination of chiropractic adjustments and physiotherapy.
Why Does Sciatica Cause Pain?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, sciatic nerve pain occurs when the nerve is either damaged or put under pressure. The following are common causes of sciatica.
- Arthritis: Arthritis weakens bones, including your vertebrae. When vertebrae crack or become misaligned, they could damage your nerves as well.
- Diabetes: Diabetes can cause nerve damage, including damage to the sciatic nerve.
- Physical strain: If you play a lot of sports or have a physically strenuous job, you could injure the sciatic nerve directly or develop a low back problem that increases sciatica risk.
- Lack of exercise: While too much exercise is harmful, so is insufficient exercise. Your back requires a certain level of strength and fitness to support your spine, nerves, and other body parts.
- Previous injury: If you have hurt your lower back or sciatic nerve before, your chances of injuring it again increase.
You have two sciatic nerves in your body, one in each leg. They run from your pelvis down to your feet. So, while problems with the sciatic nerve usually originate in the lower back, most people feel the worst pain in their leg.
This could make it harder for you to get proper treatment, if you assume there is something wrong with your leg instead of your back. Prompt medical attention from Specific Care Chiropractic can provide you with an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment sooner than if you try to treat the problem on your own.
What Are Sciatica Symptoms?
Sciatica may feel different depending on what is causing it, how serious your condition is, and your personal pain threshold. Johns Hopkins Medicine states that the most common symptom is pain that starts in the lower back and continues partway or all the way down one leg (sciatica normally affects only one leg at a time).
In severe sciatica cases, you may experience additional symptoms, such as:
- Numbness in the leg
- Weakness in the leg
- Worsening pain
- Loss of bowel control
If you allow sciatica to go untreated, you could experience permanent nerve damage. We urge you to contact us as soon as symptoms start.
You don’t have to wait until you are in serious pain to get help. On the contrary, while we can assist patients with all levels of pain, you may respond better and faster if you come in right away. There may also be additional treatment options open to you if you start treatment early.
Can Sciatica Be Treated?
The good news is that sciatica is usually not permanent and often goes away on its own without direct treatment. In the meantime, we can help you relieve sciatica symptoms by:
- Confirming the diagnosis: We can review your medical record and order tests to make sure sciatica (and nothing else requiring active intervention) is causing your pain.
- Reviewing your options: We may have multiple options for treating your pain. We can go over them all with you so you can decide which one best suits your needs and preferences.
- Answering your questions: It’s normal to have a lot of questions when you receive a new diagnosis. We encourage in-depth dialogue between you and your doctor before taking any further steps.
- Implementing treatment: We provide treatment in a clean, professional facility staffed by our warm, friendly team. Whether you need one treatment or several, we make sure you are well cared for.
No two patients are alike, so no two treatment plans should be alike either. We offer several treatments for sciatica pain, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments: If there is pressure on the nerve from, for instance, misaligned vertebrae, we can manipulate the spine in a way that realigns those bones, relieving stress on the sciatic nerve.
- Massage therapy: Massages are a gentle, often pleasant way to relieve pain and tension.
- Ultrasound therapy: Ultrasound uses sound waves to penetrate the skin and help your back heal.
- Stretching and exercise: A proper exercise routine can relieve sciatica pain and, in some cases, prevent it from reoccurring.
How many times will you have to come in for treatment? That depends on your symptoms. If you experience relief after a single session and are satisfied with that, you may not have to come back. If you have more serious symptoms, you may require several sessions.
You can continue Davie sciatica treatment for however long it takes you to achieve maximum medical improvement or MMI. This is the point at which treatment has done all it can in terms of reducing or eliminating symptoms.
Are There Other Sciatica Treatments?
Some people choose to take medication for their sciatica pain, but chiropractic care may be better for those who can’t or don’t want to take pills. It can also address the root of the problem, such as lack of exercise, much better than medication would.
In very serious cases, you may require surgery to repair the damage. If your doctor recommends surgery, please let us know. Our physiotherapy treatments—including stretching, massage, rehabilitative exercises, and more—can help you recover after an operation by:
- Minimizing scar tissue
- Helping you build up your core strength and range of motion after a long convalescence
- Reducing pain caused by the surgery
To Start Davie Sciatica Treatments, Call Today!
Depending on your circumstances, you may have several sciatica treatment options. Specific Care Chiropractic can create a treatment plan that is right for you. If you live in Davie or anywhere else in South Florida, you can call 239-369-9109 to schedule your appointment today.