Learning About Sciatica
By Randi Morse
There are many people who visit a chiropractor for the first time in order to find help with their sciatica. But what is sciatica? What causes it And, more importantly, how do you get rid of it?
About Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is actually the longest, as well as the largest, nerve in your body. The sciatic nerve controls the muscles from your lower back all the way down your leg, and it provides sensation to those areas as well. If the nerve becomes inflamed, or irritated, the condition that it causes is known as sciatica. Sciatica is the name given to describe the symptoms that you have when this nerve becomes irritated and angry.
Symptoms of Sciatica
There are a few different symptoms that a person who has sciatica could experience, but usually the overall complaint is basically pain. Some have pain that flows down the entire pathway of the nerve constantly, others have pain that only materializes on one side of the body. Some patients have a tingling sensation, others experience a burning or aching sensation. It's even possible to feel like you were being poked with pins and needles.
Sciatica is not an acute condition, which means it is not generally something that comes on quickly. Most patients who have sciatica have symptoms for quite some time before the condition becomes extremely painful. If you find that you're dealing with pain the longer you sit or when you are bending, or if you move suddenly, there is a chance that you may be at the beginning stages of sciatica.
Treating Sciatica
When it comes to treating sciatica, one of the best options is a conservative approach. By this I mean it's not always necessary to have surgical intervention if you are struggling with sciatica. A visit to the chiropractor could be a great solution for dealing with your sciatic pain. A joint restriction could be the cause of the inflammation of the sciatic nerve; because the nerve is connected so thoroughly to the spine there are a number of ways that your local chiropractor can help reduce the inflammation and ease the pain.
A visit to The Joint Chiropractic may be the best way to find relief from your sciatica. The Joint Chiropractic offers open office hours, making it easy to schedule time for a visit, and affordable rates.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in San Diego, Calif.