Sciatica: The Search for Sciatica Treatment

What Causes Sciatica?

The pain results from irritation or squeezing of the sciatic nerve root in the lumbar area or the low back. Aside from that, sciatica pain is caused by the deterioration of the intervertebral disc or the gel-like cushion that lies between the adjacent vertebrae.

Disk herniation is the result of gradual, age-related disk degeneration that makes your spine lose some of its water content.  A herniated disk can irritate adjacent nerves that result in weakness, pain, and numbness in an arm or leg.

Another cause is the degenerative arthritis of the spine.  It is like spinal osteoarthritis although this does not directly affect the spinal discs. Degenerative arthritis is where the flexible connective tissue that protects the tops of bones wears down or degenerates.  Bone spurs may also develop. Wear and tear of the backbone normally leads to narrowing of the spinal canal. This occurs mostly in adults over 60 years old.

Another cause is the Piriformis Syndrome. The piriformis is a muscle found on your buttocks, the connection is in the lower spine and the upper thighbone and goes directly over the sciatic nerve.  It can trigger symptoms of sciatica if this muscle goes into spasm. Wallets that are placed at the back of men’s pockets can also trigger piriformis.

Sciatica Symptoms

Sciatica’s most common symptom is the pain in the lower back that spreads through the buttocks and hip down to the leg. The discomfort usually affects just one leg and gets worse upon sitting, sneezing and coughing.  A person suffering from sciatica may also feel numbness or tingling sensation.  These symptoms may suddenly appear and may last for a couple of days or even weeks. In some cases, back pain is the result of over-stressing the muscles in the lower back.  It is important that you identify the pain. It may feel like a leg cramp that usually lasts for a couple of days.

Pregnant women are more likely to develop sciatica because of the pressure on the sciatic nerve during pregnancy. Of course, seniors and people who have a herniated disc are also at risk.

Sciatica Treatment Options

Before complications related to sciatica develop consult a medical practitioner right away.  Here is the good news, there is sciatica treatment in Charlotte.  You do not need to undergo surgery to eliminate the pain. Chiropractors will evaluate your symptoms and advise a treatment plan for you. They can help relieve the pain of sciatica by using methods like chiropractic adjustments. One of the most effective non-surgical treatments is spinal decompression.  This therapy helps reduce the pressure between the discs and the nerves, so you feel an instant relief. Call Beyond Wellness Chiropractic Center today and receive the treatment that you deserve.