Getting Past the Pain with a Proven Treatment Plan
Described by many as knife-like pain that may radiate from the back all the way down to the ankles and feet, sciatica is a common condition that affects many Americans. The term “sciatica” is used to describe a set including pain and numbness that may be caused by compression or irritations of nerve roots or the sciatic nerve. Sciatica has several distinctive symptoms including:
- Pain extending from the lower back, buttock, ankles and feet
- Pain that is burning and sharp
- Tingling or crawling sensations
- Leg numbness
With sciatica, the severity and intensity of pain varies widely from patient to patient. You may experience a constant throbbing or a severe, sharp pain that suddenly lets up for hours or even days. Sometimes postural changes, like lying down or changing positions, affect the pain. In severe cases, sciatica can cause a loss of reflexes or even a wasting of your calf muscles.
If you suffer from sciatica, know that there are a host of effective treatments offered by health professionals that can help you eliminate this pain and live a healthy, active lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at what causes sciatica and to how to treat it.
What causes sciatica?
Patients most frequently first experience sciatica between ages 30 and 50. It’s more commonly related to compression of the lumbar nerves or sacral nerves, but sometimes is caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve itself. It can result from the general wear and tear of aging, degeneration, arthritis, or sudden pressure on the disks that cushion the vertebrae in your lower spine.
How can chiropractic care help treat sciatica?
The good news for sciatica sufferers is that chiropractic care or decompression therapy can be very effective in treatment. Chiropractic care can provide better spinal column alignment, which can help address the underlying factors that cause sciatic nerve pain. As with any course of action, the chiropractic methods used to treat your condition should be highly customized to you specific needs and issues.
How can a holistic health approach help treat sciatica?
I’ve found that patients suffering from sciatica respond very well to a comprehensive, holistic approach to improving their overall health. Through a regular exercise program, you can strengthen your abdominal and back muscles to better support your back and prevent future episodes of pain. Identifying and treating metabolic and biochemical imbalances can also great improve your overall health picture. Finally, diet and nutritional supplementation are considered key treatments for conditions like sciatica.
Dr. Keith Sheehan is a Chiropractor and Holistic Practitioner practicing at 1301 East King Street in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Dr. Sheehan has had 15 years experience helping his clients with a wide variety of physical and biochemical conditions, using an individually tailored wellness approach and natural therapies. His clients appreciate his caring and direct approach his helpful, knowledgeable staff. To schedule a nutritional or chiropractic assessment, or for more information, please contact Dr. Sheehan at (717) 392-6606.
