If you’re experiencing pain that radiates from your back or buttocks all the way down your legs, you might be dealing with a common condition called sciatica. Many people in Plymouth Meeting seek chiropractic care to find relief from the pain of sciatica, but unfortunately, many never find a long-term solution. If left untreated, sciatica can worsen over time and make even the simplest daily tasks feel impossible. This article aims to help you better understand sciatica and how chiropractic treatment can help you overcome it.
Request an AppointmentSciatic Treatment in Plymouth Meeting
Sciatica, also known as sciatic neuralgia, is a condition that causes pain in the lower back, radiating down the back of the leg and into the foot. It can make sitting or standing for long periods difficult and may lead to weakness, tingling, and numbness in the leg and foot. Sciatica often comes and goes throughout a person’s life, causing varying degrees of pain and discomfort. If left untreated, however, sciatic pain can worsen, and the nerve could become permanently damaged.
The reason the pain travels so far and seems to radiate up and down the legs and back is due to compression of the sciatic nerve—the longest nerve in the body. This nerve originates in the lumbar spine, extends into the buttocks, and travels down the leg to the ankle and foot. When the vertebrae in the lower back become compressed, the roots of the sciatic nerve can get pinched and irritated, causing pain and injury.
How Do You Develop Sciatica?
Several factors can lead to sciatica, with disc injuries and bulging discs being the most common causes. When a disc presses against the nerve root, it triggers the pain. Disc injuries often occur due to poor posture, repetitive strain, or accidents. Sciatica is also commonly linked to spinal subluxations (misalignments) caused by issues like posture problems, pregnancy, or trauma. Some patients report experiencing sudden, severe pain after a simple motion, like bending over to pick up something light. In many cases, however, the spinal condition had been developing for some time before the triggering incident.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Chiropractors in Plymouth Meeting are highly trained to identify the source of sciatica and work with patients to develop the most effective treatment plan. After a thorough assessment of your condition, gentle adjustments are made to help realign the body and promote healing.
Recovery time varies: some people respond quickly, while others may take more time, depending on the severity of the disc or joint issues. In most cases, the longer the problem has persisted, the longer it may take to correct. However, the good news is that it often takes less time to fix the issue than it took to develop it. Once the spine and discs are properly aligned, many patients report improvements in their overall health.
If you’re experiencing sciatica symptoms, contact our team at Restoration Spine & Wellness today. We’re here to help you find relief.