Sciatica Pain
Common Causes and Treatments
The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that extends from your lower back down the back of each leg. Many people develop pain related to this large nerve, caused by irritating the roots of the nerve, which are located along the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine. This is called sciatic pain, or sciatica. Sciatica can occur at any age, and at Orange County Wellness Physicians Medical Center we treat patients of every fitness level, we can help you manage this difficult condition and live life to the fullest again. Our doctors will tailor an integrative care program with our state-of-the-art technology and conservative care methods that will help heal your pain.
Common Conditions and Causes
A herniated disk is the most common cause – a torn or cracked disc that bulges into the spinal canal, pinching the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica can be caused by what is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis, which is the narrowing of the spinal canal located in the lower back. Another cause can be the breakdown of discs in the spinal column, causing pain because the discs are not able to provide enough cushion between the vertebrae. Another condition causing sciatica is when one vertebra slips over another one, called spondylolisthesis.
Through our integrative care and state-of-the-art technology, including non-surgical spinal decompression and our class IV deep tissue laser therapy, we will help you heal and get you out of pain.
Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica pain most often affects one side. The pain can be felt from the lower back, the back of the thigh, and down the leg. Depending on where the sciatic nerve is irritated, the pain may also affect the foot and/or toes.
The most common symptoms of sciatica include:
If you are experiencing any signs or symptoms of sciatica pain call us today and we will set up your initial health evaluation with one of our providers. As specialist in this field our goal is to get you out of pain through our integrative conservative therapy.
Risk Factors
In addition to the spinal conditions named above, lifestyle factors can also increase the risk of developing sciatica pain. These factors include:
Ask one of our doctors about other risk factors.
Sciatica Therapy and Treatment Options
Sciatica affects people in different ways. For some, the pain clears up within six weeks. Others require treatment or constant monitoring to ensure that sciatica pain does not flare up again. Still others experience severe pain that makes it impossible to function in daily life.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
Call Orange County Wellness Physicians Medical Center if the lower extremity weakness becomes progressively worse, or if you experience numbness in your upper thighs or the loss of control of your bladder or bowels. We take a multidisciplinary approach to pain management, beginning with conservative treatments and moving to medical intervention using the very latest technology, with wellness services such as chiropractic care and acupuncture recommended as needed along the way, or to aid in recovery.
Treatment Options
Spinal manipulation through chiropractic treatment can be very effective for the treatment of sciatica. In addition to restoring mobility and relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve, our chiropractic adjustments can also relieve inflammation, decreasing pain.
Multiple treatments of acupuncture are also effective for some people when it comes to relieving pain. Gentle Pilates or yoga exercises can also be beneficial as patients are taught how to avoid postures that may irritate the sciatic nerve. Trigger-point massage therapy can also help.
Our non-surgical spinal decompression coupled with the class IV laser therapy may also be recommend to help heal sciatica pain. To learn more about these options and to find out if you qualify for spinal decompression therapy contact us today to schedule a comprehensive medical and physical examination with one of our providers
Medications such as NSAIDs, ibuprofen, or prescription pain medications such as muscle relaxers may also be recommended by our doctors.
If these conservative remedies do not bring relief, epidural steroid injections or even surgery can be explored. However, these are generally considered a last resort and our physicians will try other, less invasive methods first.
Preventative Measures
Keeping your spine healthy is often a matter of overall health, with maintaining a healthy weight, exercising consistently and stretching before or after your workout, and leading an active, healthy lifestyle being the goals. When sciatica strikes, stay active by taking 15 minutes walks to increase blood flow to your disk and nerve. Swimming and stretching are also effective.
When you are not suffering from sciatica pain, you can help stabilize your spine and reduce the likelihood of an injury by increasing core strength. Pilates and yoga exercises are excellent for this.
Contact Us
If you think you might be suffering from sciatica pain and live in the Huntington Beach area, give us a call and book an appointment at our Orange and Westminster locations today. Orange County Wellness Physicians Medical Center is the best in the area because we combine a multitude of medical and wellness capabilities under one roof at our two convenient locations. We’ll heal your pain, then help you prevent future injuries and conditions with wellness treatments that enhance your quality of life. Call us today!