Sciatica

Sciatica refers to the radiating pain that occurs along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts from the lower back and separates into the hips, buttocks, and legs. The pain associated with sciatica can make it challenging to get around and can affect your overall quality of life. Fortunately, if you are suffering from sciatica, the chiropractic professionals at Sorell-Iversen Chiropractic Clinic are ready to assist you.

Risk Factors for Sciatica

Many risk factors can make sciatica appear, such as:

  • Age: As you get older, your spine can experience changes that can bring about sciatica.
  • Your Job: The actions performed on the job can trigger sciatica. If you spend your days twisting your back or carrying heavy loads, you have a higher chance of developing sciatica.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: If you spend most of your day sitting, both at work and in your free time, your risk of getting sciatica increases.
  • Obesity: When you are obese, you are putting excess weight on your spine. Over time, this can cause the sciatic nerve to get pinched or compressed.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes affects the way that your body uses blood sugar, which increases your risk of nerve damage.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Pain that branches down the sciatic nerve is the most common symptom of sciatica. Most people who suffer from this problem say that the pain feels like an electric shock. Coughing, sneezing, and sitting for an extended period tend to exacerbate the pain. Typically, sciatic nerve pain affects only one side of the body. Numbness and tingling in the legs are also common.

Diagnosing Sciatica

Our chiropractor can diagnose sciatica with a physical exam. After taking a medical history and discussing your symptoms, we will check your reflexes and muscle strength. We will ask you to walk on your toes and heels, have you rise from a squatting position, and have you lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back. Sciatic nerve pain typically occurs or worsens after performing these activities.

We may use imaging tests to check for bone spurs, herniated discs, and other spinal abnormalities that could be pinching or compressing the nerve.

Alleviating Your Sciatica Symptoms with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a long-term treatment option that can effectively target the root trigger of your pain. Our chiropractor may suggest adjustments to your spine to relieve the pressure from the sciatic nerve, facilitating the healing process and reducing pain. He may also recommend exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles, improve your motion and flexibility, and prevent the nerve from becoming pinched.

We Are Here to Help Get Your Pain-Free Life Back

Call Sorell-Iversen Chiropractic clinic today at (785) 776-7568 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.

Sciatica

Sciatica refers to the radiating pain that occurs along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve starts from the lower back and separates into the hips, buttocks, and legs. The pain associated with sciatica can make it challenging to get around and can affect your overall quality of life. Fortunately, if you are suffering from sciatica, the chiropractic professionals at Sorell-Iversen Chiropractic Clinic are ready to assist you.

Risk Factors for Sciatica

Many risk factors can make sciatica appear, such as:

  • Age: As you get older, your spine can experience changes that can bring about sciatica.
  • Your Job: The actions performed on the job can trigger sciatica. If you spend your days twisting your back or carrying heavy loads, you have a higher chance of developing sciatica.
  • Sedentary Lifestyle: If you spend most of your day sitting, both at work and in your free time, your risk of getting sciatica increases.
  • Obesity: When you are obese, you are putting excess weight on your spine. Over time, this can cause the sciatic nerve to get pinched or compressed.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes affects the way that your body uses blood sugar, which increases your risk of nerve damage.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Pain that branches down the sciatic nerve is the most common symptom of sciatica. Most people who suffer from this problem say that the pain feels like an electric shock. Coughing, sneezing, and sitting for an extended period tend to exacerbate the pain. Typically, sciatic nerve pain affects only one side of the body. Numbness and tingling in the legs are also common.

Diagnosing Sciatica

Our chiropractor can diagnose sciatica with a physical exam. After taking a medical history and discussing your symptoms, we will check your reflexes and muscle strength. We will ask you to walk on your toes and heels, have you rise from a squatting position, and have you lift your legs one at a time while lying on your back. Sciatic nerve pain typically occurs or worsens after performing these activities.

We may use imaging tests to check for bone spurs, herniated discs, and other spinal abnormalities that could be pinching or compressing the nerve.

Alleviating Your Sciatica Symptoms with Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care is a long-term treatment option that can effectively target the root trigger of your pain. Our chiropractor may suggest adjustments to your spine to relieve the pressure from the sciatic nerve, facilitating the healing process and reducing pain. He may also recommend exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles, improve your motion and flexibility, and prevent the nerve from becoming pinched.

We Are Here to Help Get Your Pain-Free Life Back

Call Sorell-Iversen Chiropractic clinic today at (785) 776-7568 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.

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