Sciatica Sufferers Listen Up: Chiropractic Care Reduces Pain, Promotes Healing

Sciatica Sufferers Listen Up: Chiropractic Care Reduces Pain, Promotes Healing

Are you experiencing pain along one side of your body from your lower back down through your hip and the back of your leg? If so, you could be suffering from a condition called sciatica.

According to the Mayo Clinic, sciatica can best be described as most commonly occurring when a herniated disk or a bone spur on the spine compresses part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, shooting or radiating pain, and often some numbness in the affected leg.

A variety of issues weigh in on an individual's likelihood of ending up with sciatica. Most of them deal with increased pressure on the spine.

The following is a list of the most common contributing causes of sciatica:

Obesity.  Carrying too much weight is instrumental in bringing about a number of health related issues. Extra pounds overload the spine, causing damage that results in sciatica.

Improper lifting.  Individuals who frequently twist the bodies and lift heavy loads are more likely to suffer from sciatica. Certain jobs that require these movements are a key cause of the condition.

Sedentary lifestyle.  A person's job does not have to involve lifting to be responsible for this condition. Sitting for extended periods without stretching or standing puts excess pressure on the spine and can cause sciatica, too.

Too many birthdays.  Getting older can affect all of our body's joints and bones in a negative manner, especially if we never committed to an exercise routine. An individual's back often deteriorates with age, causing bone spurs, disc degeneration, and herniated discs that sometimes result in sciatica by impeding upon the spinal column and/or pinching nerves.

Treatment options for sciatica vary—the choice depends on the severity of the condition.

Pain medication.  A common and easy way to treat sciatica is with drug or medicinal therapy. Anti-inflammatory drugs are frequently used to reduce the inflammation around a nerve, which is a big contributor of sciatic pain. Over–the–counter pain medicines, as well as codeine, may also help with pain management.

Acupuncture. Alternative therapies like acupuncture have shown positive results in the treatment of sciatica. If a drug-free treatment option appeals to you, find an experienced acupuncturist in your area and talk to them about specific treatment options.

Strengthening exercises.  A consistent exercise program strengthens your muscles and helps the body function more effectively. Ask your doctor which exercises particularly would assist you bouncing back more quickly from sciatica.

Supplements.  Supplying the body with vital vitamins and minerals assists in the body's overall health in general, including improving one's healing time from sciatica. Daily doses of supplements such as calcium, magnesium, manganese, St. John's Wort, and Vitamin B12 have shown to treat sciatica effectively.

Cortisone injections.  Most of the time, sciatica can be treated by the less invasive measures mentioned above. However, severe bouts of sciatica may require a shot of cortisone directly into the inflamed area. Individuals generally choose this option when other treatments have garnered no relief.

Dealing with sciatica is painful and irritating, as the condition often sidelines the sufferer from daily activities. By knowing the most effective treatment options at combating the underlying causes and pain of sciatica, sufferers can begin a regimen that'll help them get back on their feet—pain-free—in the shortest period of time possible.

If you are suffering from sciatica and would like to talk to an experienced chiropractor about how to treat the condition, contact Millar Chiropractic today by calling (256) 830-0000 or 1(800) GO–CHIRO.   We are here for you! Please call now...The only thing you have to lose is pain.

Millar Chiropractic Clinics—Huntsville, AL