What is lower back pain and sciatica?
Sciatica is one of the most common forms of back pain affecting more than 3 million U.S. cases per year. Sciatica is a term used to describe inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in our bodies and we have two. The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the gluteal muscles and piriformis to the back of the hamstring to the back of the knee.
What are the symptoms of lower back pain and sciatica?
Sciatica pain usually occurs on one side but can occur on both sides of the body. The pain usually radiates from your lower back down the leg. The pain can range from sharp shooting or searing pain from the low back into the leg and in severe cases it can also cause numbness, tingling and burning pain into the legs and feet as well as poor mobility.
Fortunately sciatica is usually treated conservatively with non-invasive care that is offered at Great Life Medical.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is usually a symptom of an underlying condition such as:
- Herniated disc in your lower back
- Spinal misalignment
- Bone spur in your lower back
- Tumor in your lower back
- Sitting for prolonged periods
If you’re overweight, pregnant, primarily sedentary, or an older adult, your risk for sciatica is higher than normal.
How do you treat lower back pain and sciatica?
Sciatica treatment usually includes nonsurgical care such as:
- Trigger point therapy/therapy
- Massage therapy to aid in relaxing muscles and tension in the body as well as increasing circulation, breaking up scar tissue to relieve pain.
- Spinal adjustments whether done by using an electric adjusting tool or a manual thrust to the specific parts of your spine improve spinal biomechanics and provide diminished nervous system interference causing less pain and improved function.
- Spinal decompression gently stretches your spine causing a vacuum effect on the disc. This decompressive technique relieves pressure and pain of the compressed nerve root from the disc and is found to be very effective.
- Corrective exercises/functional rehabilitation
The Great Life Team believes that the combination of the above treatments will help to give you the optimal results.
If you would like help with your low back pain or sciatic pain please call Great Life Medical today or click below now.
