Sciatica is a common syndrome that can cause low back pain, leg pain, and other problems, including disability and decreased quality of life. If you or a loved one has sciatica, we invite you to explore non-invasive and holistic treatment options with our experienced chiropractor in Panama City, FL.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to compression and irritation of one and sometimes both of the sciatic nerves, which are large nerves that branch off from the spinal cord in the lower back. Things that can irritate the sciatic nerve include a herniated disc, bulging disc, or a narrowed joint space in the lower spine caused by issues like degenerative disc disease, spondylosis (arthritis of the spine), or bone spur. Sciatica may also be caused by problems related to acute trauma, such as a fall, lifting injury, or car accident. In rare cases, tumors in the spine may also lead to sciatica symptoms.
While anyone can get sciatica, it seems to be more common in individuals with certain risk factors:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Physically demanding job (such as first responder, nurse, or construction worker)
- Older age
- Obesity
Research even suggests that cigarette smoking may increase the risk of sciatica and other types of lower back pain!
Sciatica Signs and Symptoms
Sciatica symptoms can fluctuate throughout the day depending on things like activity, posture, stress level, and sleep. Generally, people with sciatica will notice signs and symptoms that persist for weeks or months, including:
- Stiffness and pain in the lower back
- Sharp, achy, stabbing, and/or burning pain in the buttocks, groin, or leg
- Numbness and tingling in the leg
- Weakness and clumsiness in the leg, including "drop foot" or the inability to dorsiflex (lift the toes toward the shin)
- Discomfort with sitting, standing, walking, and working out
How Chiropractic Care Helps Alleviate Sciatica Symptoms
Recovering from sciatica shouldn't just be about feeling better—although that is important! It's also about identifying your underlying causes of sciatica, so you'll be less likely to deal with recurring episodes in the future. This two-pronged approach—relieving symptoms and addressing the root cause—is why chiropractic care is so beneficial.
See our Panama City chiropractor for sciatica treatment and experience personalized healing solutions like:
- Full body posture and movement assessments, including X-rays
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Stretches and exercises
- Therapeutic massage
- Cold laser therapy
- Nutritional counseling
Discover how holistic chiropractic care can alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve, promote nerve tissue healing, decrease pain, and improve your symptoms and quality of life.
Ready for Relief From Sciatica?
Call (850) 234-2387 today to schedule an appointment with our compassionate Panama City chiropractor, Dr. Blake Pate, at Beach Chiropractic Clinic!
