Help! I have Sciatica!

Sciatica is a condition that is often misdiagnosed and attributed to any intense lower back pain. Any pain in the lower back that limits your movement or stops you from enjoying life requires attention. However, not all lower back pain is sciatic pain. This type of pain is unique and while it can be debilitating, chiropractic treatment can help. Here at Level Up Chiropractic, we see these symptoms almost on a daily basis here in Midtown Manhattan.

What is Sciatica?

Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower back, downward through your buttocks, and into the back of each leg. It is the longest nerve in your body and the widest, controlling the muscles in your lower legs. It also provides sensation to your legs and soles of your feet. When someone suffers from sciatica it means they feel persistent pain along their sciatic nerve.

Besides sharp pain, sciatica sufferers may experience dull aches, tingling, numbness, or even a burning sensation. The pain and other feelings are typically felt on just one side of the body. People between 30 and 50 are most likely to suffer from sciatica, and the symptoms are usually attributed to basic wear and tear rather than a specific injury. Sciatic pain often gets worse after prolonged sitting, physical activity, sneezing, coughing, or other sudden movements. Considering the 20-year primary age range, we often see these types of symptoms with repetitive motion employment and activity. Any motion that forces your spine into an abnormal shape, especially for long periods, can become a contributing factor in sciatica.

Chiropractic Gets to the Cause

Sciatica pain can be intense. Many of the patients we meet who are suffering from sciatic pain are willing to try just about anything to make it go away. The problem with many conventional treatments is that they’re designed to simply mask the symptoms with medication or muscle relaxants. In fairness to medical doctors, there are times when these types of treatment are a good choice. However, a chiropractor will work to find the cause of your pain first, before treating the result of it. In the event that sciatica is determined to be the cause, treatment will begin to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve.

Many of our patients here in Manhattan prefer chiropractic treatment because it’s both non-invasive and drug-free. Over the years, we’ve heard people becoming wary of more invasive treatments where their spine is concerned. And most people figure out quickly that taking pain medications is only covering up a symptom, and not really getting to the heart of the issue. In addition, the threat of medicinal side-effects is non-existent when dealing with chiropractic care, alone.

Preventative Tips

While some actions or movements may be the culprits when it comes to aggravating your sciatic nerve, they can be avoided. However we have seen cases where a robust sneeze (and the accompanying body motions) are where the trouble started. Sciatica can’t always be prevented, but if you work to maintain a healthy weight, watch your posture, avoid prolonged periods of sitting, use proper lifting technique, and exercise regularly you’ll be giving yourself a good head start toward avoiding this sciatica.