The Sciatic Nerve
For being the largest nerve in the body, the Sciatic nerve is a part of the body that most people outside of the medical field don’t know much about. Most of us know about the nerves in the spine, but do you know about the one that goes all the way from the lower back down the leg? This nerve can cause pain – and possibly even numbness, motor weakness and tingling – that radiates down one side of the body. This sensation is called Sciatica.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica doesn’t discriminate – anyone can get sciatica, and the issue is evenly distributed among men and women of various occupations. Sciatica also has a tendency to show up seemingly out of the blue. Something as simple as jumping to your feet during an Auburn basketball game can be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, and the pain begins there.
So if anyone can get it at any time, what causes Sciatica? Sciatica can be caused by any type of nerve irritation, including a bulging disc, internal bleeding or even a tumor. That’s why a full diagnosis of the cause is essential before treatment begins.
Eliminating the Pain
Once the cause of Sciatica has been addressed, the next step is eliminating the pain that lingers. If the cause is a bulging disc, as it most typically is, the doctors at Advantage Chiropractic Clinic start with a number of treatments that correct the spine and take pressure off the sciatic nerve. One of these treatments is spinal decompression therapy. This treatment takes the weight off of the spinal discs, opening up the space between the vertebrae and taking pressure off of the sciatic nerve.
With proper treatment and therapies like these, Sciatica can usually go away without surgery. But Dr. Tom warns not to put off treatment for too long: “If you don’t treat sciatic pain, it can get worse, and it can even get to the point where surgery is required. There can be neurological deficits such as numbness and weakness in muscles. It’s definitely something you shouldn’t take lightly.”
If you’re experiencing Sciatica, give us a call at Advantage Chiropractic Clinic. Dr. Tom and Dr. Brad can personalize a treatment plan to diagnose and relieve your sciatic pain and get you back on your feet.