One second, you’re okay, and the next, you have a numbness or tingling sensation radiating down your leg from your lower back. Sciatica can be a quick and infrequent annoyance for some and a debilitating condition for others. For the latter, finding fast relief and preventing future flare-ups is important.
Chiropractors are trained to diagnose and treat conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including conditions that affect the spine, like sciatica. Through a variety of techniques, chiropractic care can help you quickly relieve your symptoms and avoid future flare-ups that can disrupt your life.
Read on to learn more about sciatica treatment and how to find relief with the best sciatica pain chiropractor in Hoover.
What Is Sciatica?
A common question that we get asked is, “What is sciatica?” Sciatica is a common condition that affects millions of people. It occurs when the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body, becomes compressed or irritated. This can happen for a number of reasons, but the most common reasons include:
- Having a new or old injury to the spine, including a pinched nerve
- Age-related osteoarthritis
- Being overweight or obese
- Insufficient strength in your core abdominal muscles or being inactive
- Frequent heavy lifting or bending
- Long hours of sitting, especially without back support
- Contorting into awkward or unusual positions
- Being pregnant, which adds weight and stress to your lower back
- Using tobacco products, including vaping and smoking
- Having type II diabetes which can cause nerve damage
In addition to these causes, sciatica can also happen for no apparent reason at all.
Symptoms of Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down through the hips and buttocks and then branches off into each leg. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, it can cause symptoms that range from mild to severe, and it can last for days, weeks, or even months.
Symptoms include:
- Burning pain in the lower back or that radiates down the leg
- Muscle weakness in the lower back or legs
- Pain and difficulty with walking, sitting, or standing
- A sharp pain, sometimes described as feeling like an electric shock
- Drop foot — a condition in which the muscles of the leg give out
- Tingling or pins and needles-like feeling in one or both legs
The most common symptom of sciatica is pain. This pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation — and may be constant or come and go. It can also be exacerbated by sitting, standing, or walking for long periods of time.
How Can a Chiropractor Relieve Sciatica?
Studies show that chiropractic care is a safe and effective option for lower back pain, including sciatica pain relief. In fact, chiropractic care is a popular choice for most people because it is a non-invasive and drug-free approach to treating lower back pain. Additionally, chiropractic care can be more affordable than physical therapy or invasive options like nerve blocks or spinal surgery.
Chiropractic care focuses on restoring proper alignment and function to the spine, effectively taking the pressure off the sciatic nerve. Chiropractors can use several techniques to relieve sciatica pain quickly, including chiropractic adjustments, massage, dry needling, and stretching.
Additional benefits of chiropractic care for lower back pain include:
- Improving your range of motion
- Strengthening your back and leg muscles
- Becoming more flexible
- Improving your joint health, especially in your hips
- Improved posture
- Better sleep which leads to increased energy levels
Seeing a chiropractor can not only relieve nerve pain quickly but can also help you improve your strength and mobility so that you experience fewer sciatica flare-ups in the future.
Finding Chiropractic Relief for Sciatica in Hoover
Sciatica pain can get worse over time and become a debilitating condition that interferes with daily life. Starting non-invasive chiropractic treatments at the first sign of sciatica trouble can help you avoid a worsening condition.
Led by renowned chiropractor Dr. G. Forest Edwards, who’s an expert in treating nerve-related conditions, the team at Hoover Health and Wellness Center, Inc. offers the most comprehensive and effective chiropractic care for sciatica.
Ready to get sciatica pain relief from the best chiropractor in Hoover?
Se Habla Español
