The sciatic nerves, originating from the lower back and traveling down each leg, are the human body’s largest nerves. When one of these nerves is inflamed or irritated, it can create pain that can be challenging to ignore. Ironically, sciatic pain worsens when sitting as this position stretches nearby muscles, adding pressure to the nerve. If you're experiencing sciatica in and around Chambersburg, PA, Dr. Bryan Staker of Fifth Avenue Chiropractic at Fifth Avenue Chiropractic can diagnose its source and alleviate its symptoms.
What are Sciatica’s Symptoms?
Sciatica’s symptoms tend to manifest as pain in your lower back, hip, legs, or buttocks. Sciatica pain can be intermittent or ongoing. Most describe sciatic pain as the following types of sensations –
- Lower back pain that spreads down through the buttock and the back of one thigh – down to the corresponding foot.
- Burning.
- Tingling.
- Muscle spasms.
- When severe, sciatica can also cause –
- Numbness.
- Weakness.
While sciatica is a recognized medical condition, its symptoms may resemble other conditions or medical problems, so it is wise to see a chiropractor for a diagnosis and treatment plan if needed.
Sciatic Pain Potential Causes
If you experience pain you believe to be sciatica-related, the potential causes – of which there could be more than one, may consist of the following -
- Natural wear and tear leads to erosion of discs of the spine.
- Muscles become constricted, forming painful trigger points.
- Prolonged periods of sitting.
- Poor posture.
- Regularly wearing high heels.
- Pregnancy.
The symptoms of sciatica, which may also be called lumbar radiculopathy, may begin to feel better after the passage of time. However, because sciatic pain shows up as a symptom and not the underlying cause, it’s smart to seek a chiropractor’s assessment, guidance, and treatment therapies that include –
- Gentle chiropractic adjustments that help realign the spine.
- Therapeutic massage helps to reduce inflammation/tension.
- Stretching to enhance flexibility, range of motion, and more.
Keep in mind that sciatica symptoms may intermittently appear and disappear. As your symptoms diminish, you might incorrectly assume the pain's cause has resolved. It's only when the pain (and its impact on your routine) reemerges that you recognize that the sciatica condition has not been properly treated.
Contact a Leading Chambersburg, PA, Chiropractor for Sciatic Pain Relief.
Sciatic pain will not cease until the nerve is no longer compressed. For more information, contact Dr. Staker or a member of our staff at Fifth Avenue Chiropractic by calling 717-263-6201 or online.