The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body, originating from the lumbar spine and running underneath the buttocks, down the hips, and into the lower legs. So Sciatica is the inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve.

Pain can be a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating pain. Sometimes it can feel like an electric shock. Symptoms can increase when you cough or sneeze, and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms. Typically since you have two sciatic nerves, only one will be affected. If left untreated, numbness, tingling and muscle weakness can occur.

Causes

Causes can vary greatly. Sometimes its due to an actual joint or bone issues or disc issues. Other times it can be due to a muscle strain due to bending, lifting and twisting. Typically while lifting heavy objects. For every pound you lift you put 10 pounds of pressure on your lumbar spine!

• Lumbar spinal stenosis- narrowing of the spinal canal in the lower back.
• Degenerative disc disease/bulging disc-breakdown of discs, which act as cushions between the vertebrae.
• Spondylolisthesis- a condition in which one vertebra slips forward over another one
• Pregnancy- due to increased curvature in the lower back from a protruding abdomen.

Risk factors

Risk factors for sciatica include:

• Age. Age-related changes in the spine, such as herniated disks and bone spurs, are the most common causes of sciatica. This is due to injury to the area multiple times.
• Obesity. Excess body weight can contribute to the spinal changes that trigger sciatica.
• Occupation. A job that requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads or drive a motor vehicle for long periods can play a role in sciatica.
• Prolonged sitting. People who sit for prolonged periods or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people are.
• Diabetes. This condition, which affects the way your body uses blood sugar, which increases your risk of nerve damage.

Chiropractic

At my office I take x-rays with any type of radiating pain in the body. Most often patients with sciatica have had low back pain before (or multiple times before) and with each subsequent episode of pain the body will show evidence of degeneration.

With sciatica I make patients refrain from stretching or working out until we have the pain manageable. We work on the muscles along with adjusting and have the patient use ice while at home. 30 minutes on 30 minutes off as often as possible. When you have any kind of radiating pain you want to use ice! Heat will make blood poole in the area and cause more pressure on the nerve. Ice helps reduce swelling and takes pressure off the nerves.

If you have any questions on how chiropractic can help you, give us or a chiropractor near you a call! Chiropractic is a safe alternative to drugs and surgery. Chiropractic helps aid your body in healing quicker.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036