Sciatic pain can be intermittent and annoying, to feeling completely debilitating. It is based on the location of the nerve that is being pinched. The Sciatic nerve is the largest single nerve in the body, made up of individual nerve roots that come out of the lower back and combine into one nerve. As a result the weakness, burning, and tingling pain can travel down the leg all the way into the toes making the mobility of the leg difficult. Pain is usually constant in nature only on one side of the buttock or leg but very seldom in both. Sitting also increases pain.
Sciatica is one of the most common musculoskeletal problems, affecting 10-40% of the population at any given time. At Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers, with two convenient locations in Houston and The Woodlands, the team of chiropractors and pain management experts regularly works with men and women to diagnose and treat pain caused by sciatica. Using safe, effective sciatica treatments, can help you feel better. To request your consultation today, call the office nearest you or simply book an online Sciatica Treatments Specialist.
Symptoms can be managed with conservative treatments that include:
MEDICATION
MASSAGE
PHYSICAL THERAPY
Manual manipulation should not be painful and helps to address underlying conditions causing the sciatic nerve pain. Therapeutic massage also helps to increase blood circulation. Physical Therapy will help to strengthen the core and correct the mechanical concerns.
Regular chiropractic treatment (1 visit per month) is recommended for patients once their treatment plan is completed and symptoms have resolved or have become manageable. Due to various stresses on the body (exercise, sports, stress, over-use, gravity, etc.), the spine and joints will compress over time. Regular chiropractic care has been shown to help slow down the degenerative effects on the spine by restoring normal joint movement.
The term sciatica describes symptoms of leg pain many times described as possible pain from the glute into the leg, numbness, or tingling. The pain travels down the large sciatic nerve in the back of each leg. Sciatica is not an actual medical diagnosis but rather a symptom caused by an underlying condition usually being a lumbar herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, or spinal stenosis.
Sciatica is a medical term that refers to pain affecting your sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body. The sciatic nerve begins in your lower back, runs over your buttocks, down your legs, and into your feet.
If you have a herniated disc, a bone spur, or you’ve been diagnosed with spinal stenosis –– a gradual narrowing of the spinal column –– you’re also at risk of sciatica. Pain caused by sciatica can negatively affect your mobility, but it usually subsides on its own using conservative, noninvasive measures of care.
The symptoms of sciatica vary from person to person, but common telltale signs include:
If you have sciatica, you might also experience a sharp, shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand up or move around.
Sciatica affects people of all races and genders, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk, including:
Your job can also play a role. If you regularly have to twist your back, carry heavy loads, or drive a commercial vehicle, you’re also more likely to experience sciatica.
To diagnose sciatica, the team at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers conducts a physical exam and asks you about your symptoms. They also check your muscle strength and reflexes and ask you to walk on your toes and heels. If you experience pain during these activities, you probably have sciatica.
If you’re suffering from severe pain, your doctor might also recommend X-rays or an MRI to get a closer look at your vertebrae and the soft tissues in your back. These measures can pinpoint herniated discs and other related problems.
Whenever possible, the team at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers treats sciatica using safe, non-invasive sciatica treatments. Depending on your symptoms and their severity, they might recommend:
These treatments encourage circulation throughout your body, easing pain and relieving inflammation. Once you’re feeling better, the team recommends chiropractic treatment at least once a month. Regular chiropractic care can slow down the degeneration of the joints in your spine by restoring normal joint movement.
If you’re suffering from sciatica-induced pain, request an appointment at Houston Spine & Rehabilitation Centers today by calling the office nearest you or book for Sciatica Treatments Specialist in the woodlands and Houston online.
Monday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Thursday: 8:00am – 6:00pm
Friday: 8:00am – 1:00pm
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed