Sciatica Treatment
Sciatica Treatment Albany, OR
Sciatica is a common pain condition that affects the large sciatic nerve running down the back of the leg. While mild cases often resolve on their own, chronic pain and muscle weakness related to sciatica require treatment. Sciatica treatment can help you return to your everyday life.
If you are looking to relieve sciatic nerve pain, let Better Pain Solutions in Albany help. Our team offers a range of non-invasive treatments to help relieve chronic pain. Call us at (541) 249-7317 to learn more.
Chiropractic Treatment Q&A
Sciatica is a sharp, radiating leg pain caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back, where it branches to innervate the hip, buttocks, legs, and feet. Sciatica pain usually affects one side of the body and can extend down the back of the leg. Sciatica has been reported by up to 40 percent of the population.
Signs and symptoms of sciatica include:
- Burning or tingling sensation down the back of the leg
- Hip pain
- Lower back pain
- Pain in the buttocks or leg that is aggravated when sitting
- Persistent pain on one side of the buttocks
- Shooting pain that makes standing up difficult
- Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
Sciatica is a condition that commonly occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched by a herniated disc or narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis. Along with other spinal conditions, pregnancy and muscle spasms can also irritate the sciatic nerve, which is well protected by thick buttock muscles.
Several individual and lifestyle factors increase a person's risk of sciatica, including:
Being overweight
Diabetes
Lack of regular exercise
Older age (also attributed to spinal changes)
Poor working posture (driving for long periods, regularly twisting the back, or carrying heavy objects)
Sleeping on a mattress that is too hard or too soft
Smoking
Wearing high-heeled shoes
A. Several lower back problems put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Spinal conditions associated with sciatica include:
- Herniated disc – bulging disc material compresses the sciatic nerve
- Piriformis syndrome – tightening of the muscle that connects the lower spine to the thighbones
- Spinal stenosis – narrowing spinal canal due to age or bone growth
- Spondylolisthesis – one vertebra slides over another to compress the nerve
Stretches that externally rotate or open the hips are usually recommended to provide relief, including common yoga poses, like the reclining pigeon pose, sitting spinal stretch, or standing hamstring stretch. It is important to ease into stretches and stop if someone feels pain.
The goal of treatment is to relieve pain by alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve. Many treatment options reduce sciatica pain, including lifestyle changes, prescription medication, physical therapy, and surgery. At-home remedies and self-care include the use of cold or hot packs, stretching exercises, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Chiropractic treatments for sciatica include spinal stretching and muscle release techniques and applying controlled pressure to joints.
Additional treatments for more severe sciatica include:
Physical therapy to relax tight muscles and improve posture, flexibility, and strength
Prescription medication, such as anti-inflammatory or anti-seizure drugs, muscle relaxants, narcotics, or tricyclic antidepressants
Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain
Surgery to repair the herniated disc or remove bone growths