Sciatica Management

If you have a shooting pain running from your lower back down to your legs, you may be suffering from sciatica. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body and runs from the lower back to the buttocks and down to the back of your thighs. When this nerve is irritated, pinched, inflamed, or compressed, it results in pain commonly referred to as sciatica.

At Skocik Chiropractic in Harrisburg, PA, our chiropractor can diagnose and treat sciatica. It is important to know if you are at risk for sciatica and how to manage the pain.

Risk Factors for Sciatica 

Sciatica, just like back pain, is one of the most common reasons people seek chiropractic care. Sciatica can be very painful. Some people are more at risk for sciatica than others. Risk factors include:

• Age: As you age, your spinal bones become weaker, compressing the sciatic nerve.
• Obesity: If you are overweight, the weight may increase pressure on your spine, triggering sciatica.
• Injury: If you have an injury or a previous injury to your spine or lower back, it could cause sciatica.
• Diabetes: Diabetes increases the chances of having nerve damage, increasing the risks of sciatica.
• Occupation: If you have a job that requires you to carry heavy objects, twist your back, or drive a motor vehicle for long periods of time, you might get sciatica.
• Pregnancy: The weight of the baby could put pressure on the sciatic nerve, triggering pain.

Symptoms of Sciatica 

While the pain that radiates from the lower back to the back of your thighs is the classic symptom of sciatica pain, other symptoms include:

• Leg pain that worsens when you sit down
• Burning or tingling down your leg
• Weakness, numbness, or problems moving your leg
• Constant pain on one side of the lower back
• Unbearable pain that makes it difficult to stand up

Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica 

While sciatica pain can be intense, chiropractic treatment can ease it naturally and gently. The treatment may vary from case to case based on the injury and how a patient responds to different treatment types.

When you visit us, our chiropractor is likely to use chiropractic adjustments to alleviate sciatica pain. The procedure aims to take pressure off of the sciatic nerve to restore motion in the pelvis, lower back, and hips. Other sciatica management techniques include chiropractic exercises and lifestyle changes.

Visit Our Chiropractor in Harrisburg, PA

If you are suffering from sciatica, you don’t have to tolerate the pain. At Skocik Chiropractic in Harrisburg, PA, our chiropractor can help your sciatica pain with a personalized treatment plan. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, call us today.