IS SCIATIC PAIN HOLDING YOU BACK?

​METATTITLE: SCIATIC PAIN CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON YOUR LIFE, STOPPING YOU FROM FULLY PARTICIPATING IN SPORT, WORK AND FAMILY LIFE.  CHIROPRACTIC CARE IS AN EXCELLENT NON-INVASIVE CONSERVATIVE APPROACH TO GETTING YOUR LIFE BACK ON TRACK.
 
WHAT IS SCIATICA?
Sciatica is a burning or electrical shock type of painful sensation that begins in the buttock region and runs down the back of the thigh and sometimes can extend right down into the foot.

​WHAT CAUSES IT?
Sciatica is caused by irritation to the Sciatic nerve.  The Sciatic nerve is a collection of nerves that come together from various levels of the low back (or lumber spine) and form a larger nerve unit as they travel down the back of the lower limb. Anything that puts pressure on the nerve, or that effects the nutrition or excitability of the nerve, can cause or aggravate the symptoms of sciatica.  Examples of this may include: muscle spasms close to the nerve route, spinal dysfunction (subluxations) or arthritis at the level where the nerve roots exit the spine or unusual enlargement or growths in or near these nerves as they travel through the body or some types of neurological disease.
 
WHAT ELSE COULD BE CAUSING MY SYMPTOMS?
Sometimes some people experience sciatic type symptoms in the presence of a healthy sciatic nerve.  In this case there may be other problems going on in this region of the body that are causing similar pains down the buttock and back of the leg without actually irritating the sciatic nerve.  Examples of this may include pelvic dysfunction and trigger points (bad localized spasms) in certain muscles.
 
HOW DOES IT EFFECT PEOPLE’S LIVES?
Sciatic pain can be both scary and debilitating.  Some people may experience their pain in an ongoing unrelenting way.  Whereas others may never know when they are about to experience a pain that may be strong enough to make their legs give way under them.  Physical activities, certain postures and even for some women pregnancy or the onset of a menstrual cycle can stir up symptoms.  This can result in many people making gradually more and more lifestyle changes to protect themselves from these challenging symptoms, not knowing that often they are leaving their condition to progress, their core strength to weaken and their spinal health to degenerate.
 
HOW CAN CHIROPRACTIC HELP?
Chiropractors are highly trained in the diagnosis and management of Sciatica.  During your initial consultation, the health and function of your spine (and in this case the Sciatic nerve) is assessed to determine the cause and prognosis of your condition.  We then work with you to devise a care plan to help you return to full health and ability; or to help manage and minimize the impact of any degenerative changes that may have begun to take place.  During this time we will focus a lot on maximizing your spinal health and function, as well as addressing muscular imbalances and aggravating factors or deficiencies in your life.  The health of your nervous system flourishes under chiropractic care and it is important to care for the nerves to the legs and feet on their long journey from the brain, down the spine and out into the lower limbs.

---

by Dr Kristie Lane