As a Wichita Chiropractor for over twenty years, I have treated many patients suffering from the pain of sciatica, I’m truly aware from experience just how disabling sciatic pain can be. Those who suffer from sciatica are unfortunately all too familiar with the deep radiating pain that persists during the day and inhibits almost all of their daily activities.
Are you wondering if your low back pain could be generated by sciatica? You are probably experiencing sciatica if your pain radiates from your low back, through your buttock(s), down the large sciatic nerve in the back of one or both legs, and possibly radiates into one or both knees. Also, sitting, as well as activity, can be painful. Frequently lying down will decrease, or occasionally even temporarily eliminate the pain. Even so, it’s important for you to know that sciatica will not go away without appropriate management.
Radiculopathy
One of the clinical diagnoses of sciatica is known as a “radiculopathy”, a medical term that means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. This kind of pressure is extremely painful.
Added pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles encasing the spine, can take place during and after long periods of sitting, particularly with bad posture. Usually, a particular event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, instead sciatica tends to develop over time due to ordinary wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine can lose its normal functioning capabilities during everyday stresses.
When this happens, the intervertebral disc undergoes small fissures or cracks, which then let the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it produces the pain that is frequently known as a ruptured, or slipped, disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, sciatica is likely to develop. With chiropractic manipulation and management, which usually includes postural exercises, most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be significantly decreased.
Periformis Syndrome
Another cause of sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome happens when the periformis muscle, which is superficial to the sciatic nerve, goes into spasm and irritates the nerve. In addition to chiropractic treatment, this particular sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor can recommend.
It is essential for you to seek chiropractic attention if you are experiencing sciatic pain. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Wichita Chiropractor, I invite you to come in to see if I can get you out of pain and help you to get your life back!