Sciatica is one of those ailments that you may be inclined to brush aside if you don’t have it. After all, what are the odds it’ll happen to you, right? Well, the odds aren’t entirely in your favor. Around 10% of adults in the United States suffer from sciatica. The majority of people affected are between the ages of 25 and 45, though cases in children as young as two years old have also been observed, and older adults aren’t exempt either. Sciatica pain can be so severe that it restricts movement, makes going to work difficult, and makes even routine everyday chores challenging. It can be enough to put sufferers on disability in severe circumstances. Here at Bare Chiropractic, we want to show you how chiropractic can benefit sciatica suffers.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a type of nerve pain that starts in the lower back, travels through the buttocks, and continues in one leg. Problems with the spine are the most common cause of sciatica and the accompanying lower back pain. Herniated discs and spinal subluxations can both cause the agonizing symptoms of sciatica, which are produced by the sciatic nerve—a major nerve that runs through the lower back and down into the legs. Herniated discs can be caused by a variety of factors, including spinal damage from long periods of sitting at a desk or an injury. A dull or intense pain, weakness in the lower extremities, or a tingling or burning feeling are all symptoms of sciatica.
Aside from the pain itself becoming excruciating and causing a patient to be bedridden, sciatica has the potential to produce irreversible consequences if not addressed as soon as possible. This can be a problem in and of itself because many people with sciatica see it as a transient ailment that they must wait out rather than something that will alter their lives forever. Beyond the immediate pain, further risks may include irreversible nerve damage, greater sensitivity to pain in general, and the development of cauda equina syndrome.
Conventional Treatments
Sciatica is totally treatable, thankfully. It can be treated at home in some mild cases with self-care techniques such as cold compresses and gentle stretching. Others who are in more severe pain frequently seek pain treatment from over-the-counter drugs. In order to treat sciatica, patients may try steroid injections, anti-inflammatory medicines, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, and even anti-seizure medications. Surgery may be the recommended option in the most severe instances, such as those that have advanced to cauda equina syndrome.
Chiropractic Is the Better Solution
Fortunately, chiropractic has been confirmed to be a valid and highly effective treatment option for sciatica. Chiropractors like Dr. Thomas Keogh will address your particular case on a personalized scale, fixing the issues that need to be fixed most. If you’re in need of a Billings chiropractor for sciatica pain relief, consider contacting us so that we can set you on the path to true wellness.
Sources
Chu, Eric CP, and John TH Wong. “Subsiding of Dependent Oedema Following Chiropractic Adjustment for Discogenic Sciatica.” European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine 5.1 (2018): 12-15.
https://doi.org/10.5334/ejmcm.250
Ebell, Mark H. “Epidural Corticosteroid Injections Provide Minimal, If Any, Benefit in Low Back Pain with Sciatica.” American Family Physician vol. 104, 3
https://www.aafp.org/afp/2021/0900/od2.html
