Sciatica is pain that travels down the leg from the lower back. Irritation, pinching, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve causes it. People often confuse the symptoms with general lower back pain, as they both originate from the lower back. 

The leading cause is the compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest and widest nerve in the body. The nerve is also responsible for controlling and supplying sensation in several muscles. Any irritation of this nerve can cause mild to severe pain, sensation loss and or muscle weakness. This article will disseminate information about sciatica pain, its causes, and various treatment options.

What Is Sciatica?

Before we get deeper, note that sciatica is not a condition but a symptom. It is nerve pain caused by injury or irritations of the sciatic nerve. The nerve travels along both sides of the body, and each side has five nerve roots. Three are on the sacrum (the last section of the spine) and two are from the lumbar (lower back region).

Although most people refer to any back pain from the lower region as sciatica, injury of this nerve often present differently. Although, both have symptoms such as inflammation, irritation, and a pinching sensation in your lower back. Other symptoms may include:

• Moderate to severe shock-like sensations
  
  
• Weak muscles
  
  
• Tingling and numbness
  
  
• Burning sensation
  
  

What Causes Sciatica?

The leading cause is the irritation of the sciatic nerve in your lower lumbar and sacrum. However, symptoms may be caused by many factors, such as

• Narrowing of the spinal canal
  
  
• Disk Bulges
  
  
• Pregnancy
  
  
• Muscle spasm in the back or buttocks (Piriformis Syndrome) 
  
  

There are also risk factors that may cause sciatica. These factors are primarily uncontrollable, and they include: 

Age

As one ages, nerves, bones, and muscles degenerate. In addition, when one becomes older, the body breaks down, leading to nerve inflammation. This is a significant risk factor, as it alters many normal body functions and systems.

Occupation

Although there is limited scientific research to prove this, people who engage in jobs where they bend and twist their back and overwork their spine may develop sciatica symptoms. Sedentary occupations and lifestyles also contribute to the worsening of the symptoms.

Weight Gain

The more the weight, the higher the chances of developing the symptoms. This is because weight increases stress on your spine, which can lead to spinal changes. Your spine also compresses, which irritates the nerves because of disc bulges.

Genetics

Spinal disorders are the leading causes of sciatica, and most of these disorders are genetic. For instance, degenerative disc disorder is a genetic spinal condition that causes sciatica. Thus, people who have spinal complications in their families have higher chances of developing sciatica.

Diabetes

For diabetes is a chronic condition that affects your entire body. People with blood sugar complications have numerous symptoms that may damage their nerves and organs. Higher chances of nerve damage and irritation mean one can develop sciatica quickly.

Menopause

For menopause brings many body changes, such as bone loss, which leads to nerve damage and irritation. People approaching menopause should to a doctor about how to mitigate bone loss.

How Can Sciatica Be Effectively Treated?

Although the symptoms may come and go, some situations require a chiropractor’s intervention. If the symptoms progress, consider a diagnosis from a chiropractor. This will help determine whether the pain is truly due to nerve damage or other tissues. There are many approaches, such as self-care, medication, therapies, and medical procedures, that can treat sciatica, as articulated below:

Chiropractic

HD Performance Chiropractic has up-to-date treatment options for your sciatica. The primary sciatica treatment used at HD Performance Chiropractic in Katy is spinal decompression therapy. Spinal decompression therapy decompresses the spine and aids in rehydrating the intervertebral discs, taking pressure off the nerve. Other treatment options include spinal manipulation and spinal mobilization. Such techniques help in realigning the spine and attenuating pain and discomfort.

Most people visit a chiropractor when things get worse. This should not be the case, as visiting HD Performance Chiropractic can help prevent such symptoms rather than treating after the fact. You can also get other chiropractic treatments for joint/muscle pain, headaches, chronic back pain, and accident recovery.

Therapies

Other chiropractic treatments may include stretching and massage to help treat sciatica. When your body stretches, you will enhance flexibility, which boosts physical functions. Massage helps in relaxing muscles and treatment of body stress and pain. Get the best exercise prescriptions from HD Performance Chiropractic.

Other vital roles played by therapies include improving blood circulation and relaxing tight muscles. Massage ensures that the surrounding tissues and muscles are free from tension, creating a better healing environment. Some studies have proven that massage helps in releasing endorphins. These are pressure receptors in your brain that help in releasing endorphins (a hormone that makes your body feel good). 

Medications

Numerous medications, such as analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, help relieve pain and inflammation. Muscle relaxants help in mitigating muscle tension and relieving discomfort. Steroids also play a crucial role in stimulating hormone effects to reduce inflammation. There are also nerve pain medications that block pain due to nerve damage.

Exercise-Therapy

Many lower back exercises can help you deal with sciatica. This is because staying active improves spine health and overall fitness. The best exercises ensure that you have:

• Better bone health
  
  
• Boosted muscle strength
  
  
• Nourished spinal discs
  
  
• Improved blood flow
  
  
• Reduced stiffness
  
  

Note that a sedentary lifestyle causes the back muscles and structures to be deconditioned. This makes them weak and stiff, which leads to pain and discomfort. Sciatica typically improves within 4 to 6 weeks, but exercises help speed up recovery.

Final Thoughts

Sciatica can cause pain and a burning sensation on one side of the body. Its leading cause is irritation and/ or damage to the nerves. Other causes of sciatica include age, weight gain, diabetes, and genetics. It is best to go see your local Katy chiropractor at HD Performance Chiropractic as the symptoms may progress and become severe.

HD Performance Chiropractic provides top-notch chiropractor services to ensure patients get relief from pain and discomfort quickly and efficiently. The company has personalized care that fits any of your needs to help you get back to your everyday life. Tour the website today and book your chiropractic appointment for the best treatment options available.