Do you have discomfort that travels down the back of your leg? Sciatica is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. It's a condition so widespread that many people think they can self-treat it or just follow another person's advice for how to relieve the pain. Contrary to what many patients believe, sciatica is actually a set of symptoms rather than a diagnosis for what is causing the pain. At Watkins Family Chiropractic, our first step will be to discover what is causing your sciatica.
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations, herniated or bulging discs, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on one's back pocket wallet.
The most common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, or a difference in leg length. Such situations can cause cramping and spasm to develop in the piriformis muscle, thereby pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain.
The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), muscle stretching and strengthening, and spinal adjustments. Schedule online or call to schedule a free consultation with Dr. Josh Watkins or Dr. Aaron Pfaff. Watkins Family Chiropractic is located in Savage and proudly serves the Prior Lake, Burnsville, and Shakopee areas.
