Sciatica

 

 

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and travels from the center buttock, directly down the back of the thigh, all the way to the foot.  At first, many people believe they have injured a muscle in their lower back or leg as the sciatic nerve is in close proximity to these muscles. According to data from the National Institutes of Health, as many as 90% of sciatica cases are due to herniated discs causing nerve compression. When a bulging or herniated disc puts pressure on the sciatic nerve, the pain can be unbearable! 

You will typically feel pain on one side or the other and it will worsen with physical activity. Unfortunately, most of the treatments for this condition only aim to mask the symptoms but very few address the root cause of the condition, which is the herniated disc. The specialists at West Texas Neck & Back are experts at getting to the root of your pain and fixing the issue at its core. By using a method called spinal decompression, they are able to target the specific disc that is causing the pain. It works by creating a negative pressure within the disc and “un-bulge” or “un-herniate” these problematic discs. This can be easily diagnosed via an MRI to determine if you are a candidate for spinal decompression.

For more in-depth information on spinal decompression therapy, follow this link.

Symptoms of Sciatica Pain

Sciatic pain can be overwhelming and can severely impede your mobility. Left untreated, it will continue to cause paralyzing pain that will only diminish your quality of life. If you think you might be experiencing sciatic pain, seek treatment as soon as possible so that you can begin treating the condition and relieve your pain. The most common symptoms of sciatica include:

  • Sudden, severe pain in your low back or leg
  • Muscle weakness in your leg
  • Numbness/tingling in your leg
  • Chronic pain around the mid-buttock area
  • Pain when bending
  • Pain subsides when you lay down
  • Trouble controlling your bowels or bladder

What Factors Increase The Risk Of Sciatica

There is a range of factors that can add to your risk of developing sciatic pain. Although you might experience it later in life as a natural stage of the aging process, it is very much a symptom of modern life. We aren’t meant to sit all day, especially not with the improper posture most people have. The pain you feel is a result of bulging/herniated/injured discs putting pressure on the nerve, and some of the contributing factors are as follows:

Obesity: Being overweight can cause added pressure on the joints and discs in your spine,

Age: Natural wearing of the joints as we age, disc health deteriorates and bone spurs and inflammation can lead to pain.

Lifestyle: A predominantly sedentary lifestyle can seriously aggravate your sciatic nerve, sitting with poor posture for extended periods of time puts a strain on your spine.

Occupation: Anything from manual labor, highly mobile, high impact/intensity professions can expect to be at an increased risk of sciatic pain.

Sciatic Pain Treatment At West Texas Neck & Back

With the majority of sciatic pain, a herniated disc is compressing the peripheral nerve root causing pain to course down the leg. It is very important to undergo therapy and treat the issue so as to not cause permanent long term nerve damage. Many of our patients have already tried treatments such as physical therapy, chiropractic, acupuncture, over the counter medications, pain management, epidural injections, and nearly 50% of our patients have already had one form of spinal surgery and are trying to avoid a second one.  

Spinal Decompression Is The Solution

With properly administered Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression Therapy, a patient suffering from sciatica pain because of a damaged, bulging or herniated disc, disc degeneration, or spinal stenosis can see very positive results. The rate of success is so high because the treatment is actually focused on stabilizing and healing the affected disc. By relieving pressure on the damaged joint, it allows oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to flow to the area, allowing your body’s natural healing process to take effect. The relief of pressure also allows inflammation the chance to subside and cease pinching of the surrounding nerves. 

Get To The Root Of Your Sciatic Pain With Spinal Decompression

If you have been diagnosed with sciatica and are tired of the pain that comes along with it, non-surgical spinal decompression could be the right treatment for you. Call or book a consultation online with the specialists at West Texas Neck & Back to have your pain evaluated and receive a treatment plan that suits your needs.