Sciatica Treatment Specialist

What is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is a nerve in the back that connects the lumbar region to each of the legs. When this nerve becomes compressed or irritated, the patient develops sciatica.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Some of the most common symptoms of sciatica include pain that shoots down the leg, tingling in the leg, and numbness. Most patients experience the symptoms of sciatica in only 1 leg at a time. Sciatica may come and go, and the symptoms may also alternate from 1 side to the other. Symptoms of this condition may vary in severity.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica occurs any time the sciatic nerve is irritated or subjected to pressure. In many patients with sciatica, a herniated disc in the lower back is responsible for the pain. In other cases, sciatica occurs because of nerve damage or a bone spur. Sciatica is common among pregnant women, as well as people with degenerative disc disease.

How does Back to Health Chiropractic diagnose sciatica?

In most cases, the doctors at Back to Health Chiropractic diagnose sciatica based solely on a description of the patient’s symptoms and the results of a physical exam. However, the doctor may also order imaging tests to determine the cause of the sciatica. In rare cases, the cause of sciatica may warrant more intensive treatment not available at Back to Health Chiropractic. However, most patients with this condition respond well to chiropractic care.

How does Back to Health Chiropractic treat sciatica?

Back to Health Chiropractic treats sciatica using a variety of different therapies. The goal of treatment is to relieve the pressure of the nerve and improve the stability of the back so that future episodes of sciatica are less likely to occur.

Some of the therapies Back to Health Chiropractic may recommend for patients with sciatica include corrective exercises, traction, spinal manipulation, massage therapy, soft tissue manipulation, and hot or cold therapy. Each of these treatments serves a different purpose. In most cases, the doctors at Back to Health Chiropractic recommend a comprehensive treatment plan that includes multiple therapies.