Sciatic Pain Noblesville IN

Sciatic pain is when you are experiencing pain in the sciatic nerve or radiating from that area to other parts of the body, typically other areas of the back or spine. If you have suffered from sciatic nerve pain in the past or currently have this issue, it is important to understand a few different things about it as this will help you know what has caused your pain and how to best treat it.

Types

The first thing to know is that sciatica is not actually a diagnosis -- it's simply a way to describe a certain set of symptoms. Patients often suffer from lower back pain, along with accompanying symptoms in their legs. These symptoms include tingling, numbness, "pins and needles" sensations, and muscle weakness along the pathway of the sciatic nerve. This is the largest nerve in the human body and runs from the base of your spine all the way down the back of the legs to the feet. Typically, patients only experience radiating leg symptoms on one side of the body. Sciatica can be mild, occurring only after you've been sitting after several hours, or may be a sign of a more severe injury.

Sciatica Causes

Anything that impinges or irritates the sciatic nerve is likely to cause sciatica. Some of the most common reasons that someone will develop sciatic nerve pain include the nerve being compressed, spinal stenosis, an annular tear and a herniated disc. Especially in middle-aged and older adults, certain movements like bending, twisting, or lifting something heavy can trigger disc herniation, which places pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sciatica is also common in pregnant and overweight patients.

Non-invasive Treatments for Sciatica

Although it is possible to have surgery for bulging discs and other causes of sciatica, it's also possible to resolve your symptoms without the risks and costs of surgical procedures. In fact, research shows that chiropractic treatments are as effective as surgery for 60% of patients. Other research shows the patients under the care of chiropractor are able to work more quickly than those treated with standard medical care alone.

Noblesville chiropractor, Dr. Dahlager, is experienced in treating patients with sciatica and lower back pain. Using neurological, physical, and chiropractic examinations, he will identify whether your spine is improperly aligned and use gentle adjustments to achieve better spinal alignment. This will ease pressure on the sciatic nerve, enabling it to heal over time. Dr. Dahlager also assigns his Noblesville patients at-home stretching and exercises to strengthen their core muscles to prevent future back pain. He can also counsel you on other preventive strategies including nutritional counseling and exercise.

Don't let sciatica rule your life--- take charge of your health and see your Noblesville chiropractor today!

References

Arana E, Marti-Bonmati L, Vega M, et al. Relationship between low back pain, disability, MR imaging findings and health care provider. Skeletal Radiology 2006;35(9):641-7.

McMorland G, Suter E, Casha S, du Plessis SJ, Hurlbert RJ. Manipulation or microdiskectomy for sciatica? A prospective randomized clinical study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 2010; 33(8): 576-584.

Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30:135-139.