Sciatica: 10 Things to Know & What to do About it
Sciatica: 10 Things to Know & What to do About it
Sciatica is about more than the pain. Actually, it’s not even a medical diagnosis but a symptom of an underlying problem affecting the sciatic nerve. There are a few well-known facts about this back nerve pain you may already know; there are also a few little-known facts that may help you discover new ways of achieving pain relief.
5 Common Facts About Sciatica
Some of the most well-known facts about sciatica pain include:
1. Sciatica can result from a bulging or herniated disc.
2. Symptoms usually include a sharp, burning sensation that shoots down the leg from the lower back.
3. Men and the middle-aged are more susceptible to sciatica pain.
4. Sciatica pain makes it hard to move, twist, walk and do daily activities.
5. Pain relief often requires multiple treatment methods.
Many patients who come to Slovin Chiropractic Center with sciatica are looking to avoid overusing medications that are often the go-to for sciatica pain relief. We focus on fixing the body’s structure so it can use its natural internal healing resources. Before we dive into that, let’s look at a few unusual facts about sciatica.
5 Unusual Facts About Sciatica
Nothing is ever as simple as it seems on the surface. While those with sciatica know all about the painful side effects and symptoms, there may be a few things related to sciatic nerve pain that aren’t so obvious. These things could be keeping you from receiving adequate pain relief for the back nerve pain.
1. Diabetic nerve pain looks a lot like sciatic nerve pain; therefore, if you have a history of diabetes either personally or in your immediate family, start with bloodwork to look for the root cause of the pain. Diabetic neuropathy is caused by high blood sugar levels and can permanently damage nerves.
2. Bad posture could cause sciatica. Think about how much you sit, slouch, and look down at your phone or tablet. Your spine goes out of alignment, putting pressure on the discs, which can rupture or herniate, leading to neck and back pain.
3. Sciatica may change the way you walk. Some become hunched over or develop a limp to compensate for the back nerve pain.
4. While well known, sciatica is not as common as many people think. Lumbar disc herniation is the most common cause of sciatica; however, only 5% of those cases turn into sciatic nerve pain.
5. Most sciatica cases can be treated at home or with non-invasive, drug-free treatments from a Gonstead chiropractor.
Self-Care for Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief
When the sciatic nerve pain is intense and disruptive, you can start with rest and ice or heat treatments. Most of the time, ice works best as the pain is usually due to inflammation. Brew a natural anti-inflammatory tea with household turmeric and fresh ginger mixed with green tea to avoid over-the-counter anti-inflammatories. Drink the tea regularly throughout the day for optimal benefit.
When you’re ready to move gently, start with exercises and stretches that ease the disc into place (if it’s ruptured), strengthen the back’s muscles, and reduce inflammation. Two simple, gentle poses that offer some pain relief include:
1. Cow and cat pose. On all fours, alternate arching and hunching the back in slow movements, breathing 1-3 times in each position before switching.
2. The child’s pose is a great position to lengthen and stretch the back. It promotes flexibility and openness in the hips. This will help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Here are ten other poses that would be good for sciatica pain relief.
Non-invasive, Drug-Free Sciatica Pain Relief
Sometimes, back nerve pain requires medical treatment. Gonstead adjustments and chiropractic care are non-invasive, drug-free, and effective for sciatica pain relief. Watch the video below to see a Gonstead chiropractor fix low back pain.
The Gonstead technique is a targeted, specific chiropractic treatment that adjusts the spine, hips, and extremities. Problem areas are identified before the adjustment, so it’s nothing like general spinal manipulation. Instead, the Gonstead method demands precision, thereby personalizing your treatment and making it far more effective.
If you’ve been suffering from sciatica and are looking for safe and effective pain relief, Dr. Slovin in Norwalk can help.
Sources:
SpineUniverse: Things to avoid with sciatica
Spine-Health: 10 Quick Facts about Sciatica
International Spine Institute: Everything you need to know about sciatica