Chiropractic Health & Wellness Blog

Sciatic Leg Pain - Sciatica Pain

May 6, 2013

Facts on Sciatic Leg Pain

Your sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in your body, and runs from the lower back, down through the buttock, and all the way into the lower leg, where it controls the muscles in that area. It also provides sensation to the thighs, legs, and the soles of the feet. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated for some reason and causes pain, this pain is known as sciatica. Sciatica refers to the various symptoms associated with the irritation, and does not give any indication as to the root cause of the irritation.

Much of the low back pain and leg pain reported is sciatic pain, and it is most evident in the age bracket of 30 to 50 years old. It is more commonly a result of general wear and tear, rather than an injury.

Symptoms of Sciatica

The most obvious giveaway that you are Quick read more or view full article suffering sciatic pain is when it follows the route of the sciatic nerve, as previously described, and is typically apparent only on one side of the body. However, there are variations in how exactly that pain is felt, including tingling, aching or burning. It depends on where the sciatic nerve is being affected. Some patients may also feel pins-and-needles in the toes or foot, or muscle numbness/weakness in the affected leg or foot

More often than not, sciatica first manifests slowly, then increases in intensity, often being accentuated after sitting or bending, or sudden movements such as sneezing or coughing.

Diagnosis of sciatica

This starts with your doctor of chiropractic taking a complete patient history. Your descriptions of where the pain is, how it is felt, when it began, and which activities cause you most pain, are all important in helping to form a diagnosis. It is also necessary to undergo a physical and neurological examination, with a particular focus on your spine and legs. Your ability to perform certain activities will be monitored to assess your sensory strength, muscle strength, and reflexes, and any pain resulting from these activities.

Diagnostic imaging, such as x-ray, MRI, or CT scan may be ordered by your doctor of chiropractic if it is felt there may be more at play, such as a serious underlying problem. This may happen if there is no improvement in symptoms following 6 to 8 weeks of conservative treatment.

Treatment options for sciatica

Conservative care, including chiropractic treatment, is a very effective solution for most people suffering from low back pain or sciatic pain. As there is an array of possible causes of sciatica, treatment plans will be individually tailored depending on what your chiropractor finds in your particular case. When we talk about “conservative”, it refers to the absence of surgical procedures or medication. Instead, chiropractic seeks to rectify spinal problems, thus restore spinal movement and reduce the inflammation that’s causing the sciatica. 

Treatment at Lyn Lake Chiropractic may include spinal manipulation and adjustments, the application of ice/heat therapy, Ultrasound, Traction, Active Release Technique (ART), Massage and rehabilitative exercises. If you have any questions please call your local chiropractor or call Lyn Lake Chiropractic to schedule an appointment today!

 
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SCIATICA TREATMENT - CHIROPRACTIC CARE

May 4, 2010
SCIATICA TREATMENT - LYN LAKE CHIROPRACTIC

Sciatica-Pain can be a pain in the butt.
No pun intended.

Last night we had a 32 year old female that presented with Sciatica down her left leg into her calf. She has been suffering with this symptom for 18 months and has had physical therapy on and off for 6 months with no real success.

Her MRI was negative for disc herniation or disc bulges.
She walked with a limp and had a hyper-lordotic curve. Upon examination her left Piriformis and Glutuel muscles where extremely hypertonic (tight with multiple knots) and her Sacro-Illiac joint was locked in a posterior position.

No one has told her to see a Chiropractor,her husband works in NYC and she was suffering so they did some research and found out about Lyn Lake Chiropractic.

We adjusted her left SI joint with a side posture adjustment and a Light Drop Table Adjustment and preformed some Quick read more or view full article Active release technique ART on her Piriformis and Glut muscles along with some SOT blocking / Traction and Kinesio taping.

She walked out with the biggest smile!

Nothing makes all the employees at Lyn Lake Chiropractic happier then seeing patients improve with Chiropractic.

She is going to need more care to help normalize muscle balance and spinal alignment but she is on the road to recovery.

Sciatica can be a real pain,make sure that Chiropractic care is integrated into treatment.

If you or someone you know need help please have them call Lyn Lake Chiropractic for a Free Consult. Read Less

Did you know we now have five Lyn Lake Chiropractic locations? If you're on the North side of Minneapolis, look us up! Or in the St Paul area, check us out!