Sciatica Pain Specialist
Sciatica refers to the excruciating pain along the sciatic nerve path, running through the lumbar spine, hips, buttocks, and posterior thigh. As the sciatic nerve is the longest in the body, it is more vulnerable to damage and irritation. According to an article in Harvard Health, “Sciatica tends to affect people in their 40s and 50s, and it is more common in those who are overweight.”
Sciatica is generally known to affect only one side of the body. But there are cases of bilateral sciatica that affect the nerves on both sides of the body. The intensity of pain, however, varies from person to person. Delaying sciatica treatment can have severe consequences and long-lasting effects on health.
Chiropractic care from a Seattle chiropractor is safe and non-invasive. On this page, Dr. Jerry Weider DC will talk about symptoms and sciatica pain treatment options available.
Symptoms Of Sciatica
Symptoms of sciatica begin with stabbing pain in the lower back and buttocks. The pain may also radiate into the legs and lead to hamstring pain. Some people experience mild pain in the hips. Others may have severe pain radiating down into either of the lower limbs.
Common sciatica pain symptoms include:
- Weakness and tingling sensations in the foot or leg
- Numbness in the leg muscles
- Burning sensation and constant pain on one side of the body
Causes Of Sciatica
The sciatic nerve’s squeezing due to a slipped or herniated disc in the lower spine is the most frequent sciatica cause. Degeneration of the disc and injury to the spinal nerve roots can also trigger sciatic neuritis.
Other sciatica causes include:
- Poor postures during pregnancy
- Herniated disc, Spinal neuropathy
- Obesity
- Trauma to the lumbar spine
- Spondylolisthesis, Osteoarthritis
- Bone spurs and blood clots in the vessels surrounding the nerve
Sciatica Treatment
Lack of proper sciatica treatment may cause chronic pain in the lower back, hip, lower extremities, and buttocks. Most people suffering from sciatica rely on various effective home remedies for immediate pain relief like:
- Ice packs
- Physical exercise while monitoring for changes and improvements
- Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen and ibuprofen, analgesic, muscle relaxants, steroids, and nerve pain medication
Ignoring sciatica and delaying its treatment can worsen the symptoms. Severe issues that may result from untreated sciatica are muscle atrophy, chronic lower back pain, foot drop and difficulty in walking.
Surgery is the last resort in sciatica pain treatment. Surgery helps eliminate the sciatica cause and control the symptoms like pain and weakness. However, there may not be any improvement in back pain due to sciatica even after the surgery.
Chiropractic Treatment For Sciatica
The best-known treatment of sciatica is chiropractic treatment. Chiropractors use spinal manipulations to coax the herniated disc back into position and remove pressure from the sciatic nerve. It involves a combination of quick, high-velocity thrusts and gentle pressure with minimal force.
The adjustments help improve spinal movement and gently move the lower back vertebrae, and avoid pinching the sciatic nerve. Spinal manipulations provide pain relief, ease muscle spasms and help regain nerve signal flow and mobility.
Chiropractors may also include acupuncture, physical therapy, non-surgical spinal decompression, and traditional massage therapy as part of their chiropractic care. Performing hamstring stretches and piriformis stretches also help relieve tension and reduce pain.
Book An Appointment
Request an appointment online by calling us at (206) 783-6000
You can also use the online booking tool below for an appointment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica
Are Seattle, WA Chiropractors good for SCIATICA?
Seattle, WA chiropractors are experts in treating sciatica. They have treated hundreds of patients over the years. If you are suffering from sciatica, you should contact a chiropractor right away. Delaying treatment can have severe and long-lasting effects on your health.
Can sciatica go away permanently?
Symptoms of sciatica disappear entirely within four to six weeks. Chiropractic care is necessary for a full recovery. However, sciatica pain may progress into a chronic condition sometimes despite regular treatment sessions. In most cases, pain fades away, even without professional medical care.
What gets rid of sciatica?
Regular physiotherapy for sciatica is the fastest way to full recovery. Pressing warm pads against the inflamed area or placing ice packs over it helps reduce the pain. However, proper chiropractic care is the only long-term solution for getting rid of sciatic neuritis.
Can you recover from sciatica nerve damage?
If you wonder how I get my sciatica nerve to stop hurting, you can do it by following the vital care measures and take sciatica treatment sessions in Seattle regularly. You can also use deep friction massage therapy and light exercise to accelerate the recovery process.
Does walking help sciatica nerve pain?
Yes, walking at a comfortable speed for ten to fifteen minutes reduces the sciatic nerve pain incredibly. Walking is a highly effective approach to treating sciatica. It stimulates the release of pain-relieving endorphins and neutrophils that fight inflammation.
What is the best painkiller for sciatica?
Over-the-counter pain relievers and non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen effectively manage sciatic nerve pain. Most doctors recommend using muscle relaxants and analgesics for pain relief. Antidepressants and pain medications are also helpful in relieving chronic low back pain.
Make sure that you are driving at a low-speed limit on your vehicle consisting of no equipment failures.
Is sitting bad for sciatica?
Yes, sitting can be quite painful for people with sciatica. Sitting increases the pressure on the nerves in the lower spine, which compresses them and causes severe pain.
Does drinking water help sciatica?
Hydrotherapy, along with chiropractic care, is perfect for the effective treatment of sciatica. Drinking water regularly helps remove the harmful agents released by the inflamed tissues in the lower back. Besides, drinking two to three cups of green tea a day can help in reducing pain.
How should I lay with sciatica?
Lying flat on your back, relieves the tension along your spine. Keeping your hips and heels in contact with the bed is essential for pain relief. Furthermore, sliding a cushion under your knees and bending them may also help reduce pain.
What should you not do with sciatica?
You should avoid heavy physical exercise that involves the extensive stretching of the hamstrings. Crunches, weight lifting, and back stretching exercises can also aggravate your sciatic neuritis. Moreover, you should avoid doing sit-ups, bent over rows, and full-body squats.
Does Medical Insurance Cover Sciatica Treatment?
Most basic medical and health insurance companies cover the total cost of chiropractic treatment for sciatica. Untreated sciatica can result in irreversible nerve damage, which requires expensive surgical treatment. So, insurance companies find it easier to cover your regular chiropractic care rather than paying for complex surgeries later on.
