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Sciatica is a condition affecting the sciatic nerve; without understanding the nerve, it’s hard to understand what sciatica is. So, let’s go over the nerve briefly; the sciatic nerve is the largest in the body, starting in the lower back, where it splits and runs through each buttock and down each leg.
The sciatic nerve serves two important functions:
Sensory function- it provides sensory feedback to the brain, telling us to feel sensations in the body’s lower half
Motor function- it offers signals to the muscles that allow us to move our legs and feet
Because it takes up an immense portion of our bodies and supports everyday movements such as walking, it’s put under quite a bit of pressure. This pressure can lead to injuries.
In this post, we’re giving all the ins and outs about sciatica, including:
What sciatica is
Symptoms of sciatica
What causes sciatica
How to avoid sciatica
Chiropractic for sciatica
And more
Let’s jump to it…
What is Sciatica & Do I Have It?
Sciatica is a broad term that means the sciatic nerve has been damaged; this usually entails it becoming inflamed, irritated, or compressed in the lower back.
When pressure is placed on the nerve root, pain is generally the result; however, it has a range of levels, so you may not realize it’s affecting you until the injury worsens.
Common symptoms of sciatica include:
Pain in the low back
Radiating pain from the low back into the buttock and leg
Pain on one side of the lower half of the body
Pain that runs along the sciatic nerve
Mild, sharp, or burning pain
Weakness
Loss of range of motion
Hip pain
There are different ways the nerve can become affected, so determining the exact cause of your pain is important to your treatment. Chiropractic solutions are gentle enough to help numerous kinds of patients at any stage in life and with varying abilities and injuries.
People who may suffer from sciatica include:
Pregnant women
Those who experience excessive weight gain
Those involved in a traumatic accident, such as a slip and fall or sporting accident
Those with habitual poor posture or movement patterns
Sedentary or inactive people
Sports people
Those who have physical jobs
Regular wear and tear or aging
Sciatica patients run the gamut, but each want the same thing- to end the pain it’s causing. Getting care for the sciatic nerve will help, but understanding how to use your body correctly will give you the tools to stay safe going forward.
Can I Avoid Sciatica?
There’s no foolproof way to avoid sciatica; however, you can take steps to protect your soft tissues, joints, and spine, so they don’t interfere with the sciatic nerve’s proper function. The damage done to the nerve is due to imbalances in other areas.
Common causes of sciatica include:
Disc herniation
Sprains and strains
Damage in the soft tissues surrounding the sciatic nerve or spine
Inflammation
Scar tissue
Chronic injury near the nerve
A chiropractor can assess the body comprehensively to find the precise cause of your pain, then establish a treatment plan that heals the dysfunction associated with your sciatica.
Ways to help avoid sciatica include:
Use proper posture
Ensure your workstation is set up correctly
Engage in correct movement patterns and lifting techniques
Strengthen your entire core (not just your abs!)
Exercise and stretch
Avoid sitting for extended periods
Wear proper shoes
Get help for any chronic injuries
Work with a chiropractor for proactive healthcare
Chiropractic for Sciatica in Lawrence
Chiropractic services can help your sciatica and rid you of its symptoms. By providing a thorough analysis of how your body is functioning, you’ll get optimized techniques that cater to your unique needs.
Chiropractic solutions to end your sciatica include:
Living in pain is not living at all. If your sciatica is hindering your lifestyle, we can help.
Contact us today; we want to get you better starting now.
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