Don't Let Sciatica Get You Down

March 22, 2012 - PRLog -- If you have low back pain that radiates down the legs, odds are you are suffering from sciatica. Sciatica is pain that is felt in the low back or buttocks that travels to one or both legs. The sciatic nerve (primary offender) is in some way compressed, which then causes pain. The pain that is involved in sciatica is described to be dull, achy, sharp and/or needle-like.

There are also inconsequential things or measures that can cause sciatica. It can result from a sudden trauma, such as a strenuous attempt to lift, a jolt of a sneeze or cough, or a sudden rotational movement, which can actually be the result of repetitive and cumulative effects of small traumas.

Since there are many causes of sciatica, there is no ‘cookie cutter’ method that can be used to treat every case of sciatica. Initially we need to know what is causing the sciatica on the patient first. Assessment can be done by means of reviewing the patient’s medical history, physical and neurological examinations, X-Ray, MRI, or CT scan. This is important so that the chiropractor will know how to approach and treat the sciatica.

When it comes to sciatica, the purpose of the chiropractic care is to allow the body to heal itself. Basically, it involves optimizing the range of motion of the lower buttocks region and taking pressure off of the sciatic nerves so that they can function better.

Sciatica symptoms can be greatly reduced by chiropractic care. Taking pain medication for sciatica may only mask the underlying problem. Additionally, many times pain medication is not effective for the severe pain experienced, or the pain medication becomes ineffective over time. Chiropractic care is a natural approach to manage the source of the problem. Try chiropractic care and cease dependence on pain medication by easing the pain that's interfering with your life.