5 Things You Need to Know About Sciatica

You probably already know that sciatica causes a lot of pain in the lower back, buttocks and legs. It can also cause swelling, numbness, and muscle weakness in these areas making it hard to walk or sit comfortably. While the most simple explanation is that sciatica is caused by an irritated sciatic nerve, there is usually a root cause of this irritation that needs to be addressed. 

Here are five things you should know about sciatica so you may be better able to understand your condition and its treatment. 

1. Sciatica is different from typical back pain. 

General lower back pain can come from a wide range of causes. However, sciatica has specific symptoms making it easier to diagnose. The cause however is sometimes harder to pinpoint. Sciatic nerve pain may have some of these specific characteristics:

• Shooting, sharp, or jolts of pain that extend from your lower back, down a leg, and into your foot. Some people describe it as a bad leg cramp that lasts for days. 
• Tingling sensations in your lower back, buttock, and leg. It can feel like “pins and needles” or stabbing or burning pain.
• Numbness or weakness in your lower back, buttock, leg, or foot.
• Worsening pain in certain positions, such as sitting or standing for long periods of time. It may be worse when walking or with sudden movements.  
• Pain in the lower back, thigh or hip area, or even higher up on the spine. 

2. Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition.

Sciatica is usually related to a problem in your lower back, such as a bulging or herniated disc. 

Some other root causes of back pain that can cause sciatica include:

• Pregnancy which can put pressure on your spine and lower back, especially if the baby’s weight pinches the sciatic nerve. Additionally, hormones in pregnancy can loosen ligaments. These loosened ligaments make it easier for spinal discs to slip out of place and pinch nerves.
• Small stress fractures can allow one spinal vertebrae to slip on top of another, leading to pinched nerves.
• Spinal stenosis, or the narrowing of the spinal canal, can make it hard for nerves to pass through your spine without compression and irritation. Spinal stenosis can be caused by arthritis or aging.
• An irritated SI joint that joins the hip to the spine. This can put pressure against the sciatic nerve.
• Being overweight means that there is more weight that your spine must support. 
• Poor posture can gradually change the normal curvature of the spine, increasing your risk of sciatica. 
• Changes in the normal curvature of the spine, caused by actions like sleeping on a mattress that’s too soft.  
• Injury to the lower spine or sciatic nerve can be caused by intense physical activity from contact sports or weightlifting or by trauma from an auto accident or fall.
• Using bad technique when bending, lifting, twisting, and/or carrying heavy loads. Always lift with your legs – not back – and frequently stretch to decompress your spine and prevent muscles from getting tight and inflexible.  
• Too much sitting can put pressure on your spine which can push against the sciatic nerve. Try to get up and move around more often if you notice symptoms of sciatica after sitting for long periods. 
• Tumors can compress the sciatic nerve, although they are very rare.

3. Sciatica can be treated in most cases. 

While most cases of sciatica will resolve in four to six weeks, that’s a long time to be in pain. You probably want to get rid of it ASAP! Different treatments are available to treat the root cause of the pain. Some chiropractic treatment options to relieve sciatics may include: 

• Spinal decompression therapy, which is a gentle, motorized spinal traction technique that reduces nerve pressure and helps reduce pain. It improves water and nutrients flow to the discs to enhance healing.
• Cold laser therapy, which is an FDA-approved, low-intensity laser treatment that reduces inflammation, swelling, and pressure on the sciatic nerve. It also improves blood flow to the area and promotes healing.
• Electrical muscle stimulation, often referred to as a TENS machine, can relieve muscle pain and sciatic nerve pain.
• A professional massage therapist in a chiropractic practice understands how and where to place pressure to help relieve sciatica. Muscle tightness often makes sciatica worse. Massage increases blood flow to the injured area. 
• Stretching is important to the healing process. Lower back stretching stretches can strengthen the spine and improve healing.

4. What not to do if you have sciatic pain:

• Rest too much. While some rest and a reduction in your most strenuous activities may be needed initially, bed rest and increased inactivity only delay the healing process. Bedrest can actually make your pain worse.
• Skip the chiropractor. If you’re having symptoms that you believe may be caused by sciatica, you will probably want to go to a chiropractor for an initial assessment. This is often a first choice for patients because they can receive diagnosis and begin treatment without waiting for a referral and the treatment options are drug-free.
• Think that your chiropractor works alone. You may also use a massage therapist that understands sciatica. If the pain continues to persis, a physical therapist can be added to the treatment plan who can provide more help with treating the root cause of the pain 

Degenerative disc disease cannot be prevented. You can reduce the potential for accidental falls or traumatic injury, but may not eliminate all accidents. It is important to protect your back and reduce the most common risks of sciatic nerve damage. 

Try these tips to protect your back:

• Pay attention to your posture while sitting, standing, walking, lifting, and sleeping.
• Maintain a healthy weight to reduce strain on your spine. 
• Exercise regularly, including stretching to keep joints flexible, exercises to strengthen your core muscles and improve balance. Choose low-impact activities (swimming, walking, yoga, tai chi) that are least likely to hurt your back. 
• Don’t smoke. Smoking doesn’t just affect your lungs - it can cause your discs to deteriorate and is a risk factor for sciatica.
• Protect against falls by wearing supportive shoes, keeping walkways free of clutter and cords, using nightlights and stair railings, and removing throw rugs.

Schedule Your Appointment with our Chiropractors

If you think you’re suffering from sciatica, request an appointment at Village Chiropractic in Alden Bridge. Our chiropractors in The Woodlands will assess what is causing the pain to determine the right treatment while helping you relieve the sciatic nerve pain in the meantime.