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Sciatica Q & A

What is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that travels from your lower (lumbar) spine down into your hips and legs. Sciatica results when this nerve is irritated, inflamed, or compressed by bone spurs or a herniated disc.

Moving your spine in certain ways can cause shock-like pain in your lower back. This pain can also radiate into your hips and legs. As sciatica worsens, you might also experience weakness, numbness, and tingling in these areas.

Your risk for sciatica pain can increase as you age or if you frequently lift heavy objects. If you have a herniated disc, arthritis, or another type of spine condition, you may also be more likely to develop sciatica.

Integrated Spine & Disc offers comprehensive chiropractic care to ease sciatica pain and restore the overall health and function of your spine.

When should I consider chiropractic care for sciatica?

You should schedule an evaluation at Integrated Spine & Disc if you have symptoms of sciatica that aren’t going away with medications and home care. These symptoms can affect your lower back, hips, or legs and include:

  • Electric shock-like pain sensations
  • Weakness
  • Numbness
  • Burning
  • Tingling

As sciatica worsens, you may also experience a loss of mobility due to severe pain and leg weakness.

The chiropractors at Integrated Spine & Disc offer comprehensive evaluations of your spine health and function to determine if chiropractic care can treat your sciatica symptoms. They customize a treatment plan to ease your symptoms and restore full function in your spine.

What can I expect during chiropractic visits for sciatica?

During your chiropractic visit for sciatica, the chiropractors at Integrated Spine & Disc use manual techniques to move your spinal vertebrae into proper alignment. They may also use specialized instruments to force your vertebrae into position.

To further reduce pain and inflammation, the chiropractors at Integrated Spine & Disc combine chiropractic care with exercise therapy. Because muscle tightness and nerve compression are primary factors that contribute to sciatica, regular stretches and other exercises can lower your risk for additional sciatic complications.

The chiropractors at Integrated Spine & Disc determine how often you need chiropractic adjustments based on your individual needs. They may also recommend routine adjustments even when your pain resolves to keep your spine healthy and strong.

Call Integrated Spine & Disc to schedule a chiropractic consultation for sciatica or book an appointment online today.