As a Wichita Chiropractor for more than twenty years, I have helped hundreds of people suffering from the pain of sciatica, so I know from experience just how disabling the pain from sciatica can be. Those who suffer from sciatica are regrettably all too familiar with the deep radiating pain that accompanies their waking hours each day and restricts almost all of their daily activities.
Are you worried that your low back pain might be generated by sciatica? If your pain radiates from your low back, through one or both sides of your buttocks, down the large sciatic nerve in the back of one or both legs, and possibly radiates into your knee(s), you probably have sciatica. Moreover, sitting, as well as activity, can be painful. Often lying down will decrease, or sometimes even temporarily get rid of the pain. Even so, it’s important for you to know that sciatica cannot be corrected without appropriate management.
Radiculopathy
A radiculopathy is a medical term that describes a condition where a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve, or nerve root, that forms part of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. This type of pressure is extremely painful.
Prolonged sitting, especially in an awkward position, can cause imbalances in the muscles enclosing the spine and additional pressure on the intervertebral discs. A specific event or injury isn’t usually the cause of sciatica, instead sciatica has a tendency to develop over time as a consequence of everyday wear and tear on the vertebrae of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine can lose its ability to function normally during ordinary stresses.
Ultimately, the intervertebral disc incurs small fissures or cracks that then allow the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is generated as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This occurrence is commonly referred to as a ruptured, or slipped, disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, a person can develop sciatica. Fortunately, most disc challenges, including sciatica, can be totally alleviated with chiropractic manipulation and therapy that frequently includes postural exercises.
Periformis Syndrome
Periformis syndrome is another cause of sciatic pain. Periformis syndrome happens when the periformis muscle, which is superficial to the sciatic nerve, goes into spasm and irritates the nerve. In combination with chiropractic treatment, this type of sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor will advise you on.
It is essential for you to seek chiropractic attention if you are experiencing sciatic pain. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Wichita Chiropractor, I look forward to helping you to get out of pain and get your life back!