Sciatica: Symptoms and Treatments

Find out whether your back pain could be sciatica and how to best treat it.

While most people hear the word sciatica and assume that it's a condition, it’s actually a symptom. Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the hips and buttocks, and all the way to the legs. In most cases, sciatica only appears on one side. So, what causes sciatica and what can our Clarksburg, Gaithersburg, Urbana, and Potomac, MD, chiropractors do about it? Let’s find out!

What causes sciatica?

Since sciatica is a symptom and not a condition, it’s important for our Potomac, MD, chiropractor to first determine what is causing your sciatica. The most common causes of sciatica include,

• Muscle strain
• Pregnancy
• Scar tissue
• Degenerative disc disease
• Spondylolisthesis (a small fracture)
• Herniated disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Piriformis syndrome
• Sacroiliac joint dysfunction

What are the telltale symptoms?

As we mentioned above, sciatica typically only affects one side of the body. The pain may start at the lower back but it’s also felt under the buttocks and down the thigh. The pain is usually characterized as sharp and can sometimes cause numbness or tingling in the leg, as well.

Sciatica pain may get worse during sudden movements. You may notice that pain eases up when you lie down or move around while sitting or standing may make the pain worse. Symptoms will also vary depending on the sciatica's cause; for example, patients with spinal stenosis may experience sciatic pain whenever they bend backward or walk for longer distances.

How can a chiropractor treat my sciatica?

Before we create a treatment plan, we will need to thoroughly examine you to determine what is causing your sciatica. In some cases, diagnostic testing such as an x-ray will be necessary to help us check for fractures, compressed nerves, and herniated discs.

Here in Potomac, MD, our goal as your chiropractic specialists is to provide you with the treatment that you need to reduce your symptoms and improve how your body functions and feels. Chiropractic care can help your body heal faster and more efficiently. Plus, this is a safe, non-invasive, non-surgical, and drug-free option for treating your symptoms. Common chiropractic treatments for sciatica include,

• Cold therapy: to reduce pain and inflammation
• Ultrasound: to reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasms
• TENS unit: to reduce pain and muscle spasms
• Spinal adjustments: to reduce inflammation, stiffness, pain and muscle spasms. It also can free trapped or compressed nerves.

Don’t let sciatica affect how you live your life. Back pain is one of the most common issues we see here at King Chiropractic, and we conveniently have offices in Potomac, Gaithersburg, Urbana, and Clarksburg, MD, to provide you with the comprehensive chiropractic care you need to feel and function better. Call us today to find out how we can help!