Sciatica Pain Treatment for Residents of Cumming, Georgia
It is estimated that nearly 4 in every 10 people will suffer from sciatica at a certain point in their lifetime. The term sciatica refers to the pain caused by the irritation of the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs on either side of the lower part of the spine and runs through the pelvis and buttocks. The nerve then runs along the back of the upper section of both legs before dividing at the knees into branches than run all the way to the feet. Given the high prevalence of the problem, it is important to familiarize yourself with the common causes and symptoms, risk factors, as well as the available treatments, therapies, and remedies.
Some Fast Facts about Sciatica
The term sciatica is often misunderstood to generally refer to back pain. Nonetheless, sciatica is not simply limited to back pain. The nerve is the widest and longest nerve in the human body. It also controls a number of muscles in the lower section of the legs and gives sensation to most of the lower leg and the skin on the foot. Sciatic pain is a symptom of other problems with the sciatic nerve and it’s not a condition as it is widely misunderstood.
What are the Common Causes of Sciatica?
Sciatic pain is a common symptom of various medical conditions. However, approximately 90% of the diagnosed cases are caused by a herniated or slipped disk in the spinal column. Let’s break down the components of the spinal column in order to get a clear picture.
The spinal column consists of three components:
- Vertebra (the individual bones in the spinal cord that shelter underlying nerves),
- Nerves,
- and disks
The disks of the spinal cord are made of cartilage, a tough and durable material that serves as a cushion between each vertebra and permits the flexibility of the spine. A herniated or slipped disk comes about when a disk moves out of its position and this causes pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Other common causes of sciatic pain include:
- Spondylolisthesis– this is a condition whereby a spinal disk moves forward over the vertebra below
- Lumbar spinal stenosis – this refers to the narrowing of the spinal column in the lower back
- Infections that eventually affect the spine
- Cauda equine syndrome – this is a rare but severe condition that affects the nerves found at the lower section of the spinal column
- Tumors in the spine – tumors may cause the root of the sciatic nerve to compress
- Other causes – injury to the spinal cord
In most cases of sciatic pain, there is no one obvious cause.
What are the Risk Factors for Sciatica?
There are three known common risk factors. Age is one of them. Generally, individuals who are in their 30s to 40s are found to have a greater risk. The other risk factor is profession. Usually, people who work in professions that involve heavy lifting for prolonged periods have a higher risk. The third risk factor is sedentary lifestyle. Individuals who sit for long hours and aren’t physically active have a higher likelihood of developing sciatica.
What are the Common Symptoms of Sciatica?
The most common symptom is a sharp pain in any section along the path of the sciatic nerve, i.e., from the lower part of the back, through the buttocks, and down the back part of either leg. Besides, the other common symptoms are numbness of the leg along the path of the nerve, and tingling sensations (like needles or pins) in the toes and feet. It is important to note that the severity of sciatic pain can vary and may be worsened by sitting for prolonged periods.
How is Sciatica Diagnosed?
A full medical history, along with a review of the symptoms you present and a physical examination, will help the doctor diagnose sciatica and establish its cause/s. this can help to isolate the affected nerves and establish if there is a problem with one of the spinal discs. Further diagnostic tests may be performed to establish other sources of sciatic pain. Based on what the doctor discovers, he or she might recommend additional tests. These tests may include:
- Myelogram to establish if a vertebrae or spinal disc is the cause of the pain
- X-ray to establish if there are any fractures in the spinal cord
- Electromyography to look at how well electrical impulses are travelling through the sciatic nerve
- MRI or CT scan to generate images of the structure of your back
Fortunately, most patients can be start receiving sciatica pain treatment without these additional tests.
How is Sciatica Treated?
Once a diagnosis has been performed, you can start receiving sciatica pain treatment. There are several treatments to choose from depending on your diagnosis. Generally, most affected patients have relief from sciatic pain with a variety of conservative interventions, including muscle-relaxant and anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and foam roller exercises. However, some of the best treatments to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve are chiropractic treatments. The objective of chiropractic-based sciatica pain treatment is to enhance the body’s ability to heal itself. This form of treatment is founded on the scientific principle that limited spinal movement causes pain and limited performance and function.
Chiropractic treatment is non-invasive and drug-free. The form of chiropractic therapy offered will depend on the causes of the patient’s sciatica. A typical treatment plan can include a number of treatments like:
- Cold/ice therapies
- TENS
- Spinal adjustments
The purpose of cold/ice therapy is to reduce inflammation and to help in controlling sciatic pain.
TENS is an acronym that stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. It is delivered using a small box-like, battery powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Varying intensities of electrical current minimize muscle spasms and control pain. Bigger versions of the home-use TENS units are often used by chiropractors and physical therapists.
Lastly, spinal adjustments or spinal manipulation are at the core of chiropractic care. Spinal manipulation helps to free restricted movement of the spinal cord and restore misaligned vertebrae to their original position along the spinal column. On the other hand, spinal adjustment helps to minimize spinal irritation that is often responsible for muscle spasms, inflammation, as well as other symptoms associated with sciatica. Spinal adjustment and manipulation are not painful and have been proven to be safe and effective.
Depending on the causes of sciatic pain, a doctor will evaluate the risks and benefits of each treatment option and recommend a suitable treatment option.
If you or a loved one is looking for sciatica treatment in the Cumming area, book an appointment with us today! We’re a family-centered chiropractic office in Cumming, Georgia. Our mission is to offer a solution to your family’s health care needs by providing exceptional neurologically based chiropractic care and nutrition to Cumming residents of all ages.