People visit the chiropractor for a number of reasons. One of the most common reasons is sciatica, or sciatic pain. Sciatica can be extremely painful for those experiencing it, but going to a chiropractor can offer some relief for these patients. Although Sciatica is a rather common condition, many don't know what exactly it is. We will explain what it is, and what visiting a chiropractor can do to help it. 

First, what is the sciatic nerve? The sciatic nerve is a nerve that starts at the lower back and runs down the back of the legs. When this nerve is irritated, or another nerve root is pinched, this causes sciatica. A herniated disc might trigger sciatica, because it can hurt the nerve. Other reasons one might experience sciatica include pregnancy, muscle spasms or lumbar spinal stenosis, among others. 

There are many different symptoms of sciatica, and sciatic pain is different for every person. You could experience lower back pain, a burning sensation in the leg, or shooting pain. Sciatica could even cause your leg to go numb. More possible symptoms of sciatica can be found here. Even though the sciatic nerve runs down both legs, for most people with sciatica, only one side of the body experiences pain. 

It's good to know that the sciatic pain spectrum is rather large. There are also certain things that could be worsening your sciatic pain. These could include being overweight, not maintaining an active lifestyle, or wearing the wrong shoes. So if you are experiencing more severe pain than someone else with sciatica, it doesn't necessarily mean anything horrible. However, you should probably get it checked out.

Treatment for sciatica is also diverse. If the pain is slight, you can often relieve the pain at home. This can be done with pain relievers like ibuprofen, or by applying a cold pack to the area that hurts. When sciatica pain is severe, some seek out surgical treatment. However, this is very rare. Some will visit a physical therapist, and others will seek out alternative treatments. 

One of the most popular alternative sciatica treatments would be chiropractic care. Chiropractors may use a variety of different treatments to cure sciatic pain, including ultrasounds, ice/cold therapy, and adjustments. Ultrasounds use heat to get your circulation going and can reduce pain and swelling. With ice/cold therapy, applying cold substances to the area will help inflammation go down. Lastly, adjustments are possibly the most common chiropractic sciatic treatment. They can help to realign the body and take the pressure off the affected area. 

Here at Advantage Walk-In Chiropractic, we can help to cure your back pain. We know that sciatic pain can be bad, but with our traction and spinal decompression therapy for sciatica, we can relieve you of your pain and get you back to your normal self. Visit us today!