People who suffer from sciatica know that over-the-counter and prescription drugs only offer short-term relief and may cause side-effects. What’s worse is that they don’t fix the source of the problem thereby increasing the risk of permanent nerve damage over time.
Sciatica in itself is not a disorder, but a symptom of a damaged or compressed nerve (sciatic nerve) caused by spinal disc problems. The result is pain, tingling or numbness in the buttocks down to the legs.
Who Are at Risk of Sciatica?
People with a sedentary lifestyle or have jobs that involve carrying heavy loads are at an increased risk of developing sciatica. People who have diabetes or who are pregnant are also likely to develop sciatica.
Signs of Sciatic Nerve Irritation
Typical symptoms of sciatica include:
- Mild to severe pain radiating from your lower back down through the back of your leg.
- Numbness or weakness in the affected leg
- Tingling in your foot or toe
- Loss of bowel or bladder control in which case you need to go to your doctor immediately.
I think I have Sciatica. What can I do?
Applying ice packs (wrapped in towel) 20 minutes at a time throughout the day can help reduce inflammation. Instead of staying in bed, do light activities. This will help strengthen your muscles. However, for the first six weeks you should avoid activities that may strain your back.
Exercises for Sciatica pain relief involve conditioning the core muscles to better support your back. Movement during exercise also helps exchange nutrients and fluids within the discs to keep them healthy. While sciatica exercises are beneficial, they have to be tailored to your specific diagnosis. Our chiropractors will find the root cause of your sciatica pain and will be able to prescribe the right exercise to perform.
Chiropractic care has been proven in several studies to successfully treat sciatica. It is also less invasive and more cost effective than other treatment options like surgery or drugs. Call us at 845-342-2225 to request a free consultation with a chiropractor in our Middletown NY office.