Sciatica is a painful condition that makes getting around challenging. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body and branches from your lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. When the nerve is compressed, it causes sciatica, which usually affects one side of the body. This condition can cause long-term health issues if not treated by a medical professional. Fortunately, the professionals at Beyond Innovation Chiropractic in Frisco can create a treatment plan to reduce the pressure on the nerve, helping you get back to living a pain-free life.
Risk Factors
Anyone can develop sciatica, but there are factors that can increase your risk of developing the condition.
- Age: As you age, changes occur in your spine, causing bone spurs and herniated disks.
- Weight: Your spine will be under more stress if you are overweight or obese, which can contribute to spinal changes that trigger sciatica.
- Occupation: If you have a job that requires you to sit all day, lift heavy loads, or twist your back, the risk for sciatica increases.
- Sedentary lifestyle: People with sedentary lifestyles develop sciatica more often than active people.
- Diabetes: Diabetes increases your risk of nerve damage, which can contribute to sciatica.
Sciatica Symptoms
The pain caused by sciatica radiates through the sciatic nerve. The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation. Some people with sciatica report excruciating pain, and some say the pain feels like an electric shock or jolt. In severe cases, sciatica can cause numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg or foot. Sciatic pain is often worsened when coughing, sneezing, or getting up after sitting for a long time.
Diagnosing Sciatica
Sciatica can be diagnosed during your first consultation. Our chiropractors will check your reflexes and muscle strength and will have you perform specific tasks. This is essential in determining which motions cause you the most pain. Certain imaging tests may also be required for a thorough assessment. These tests can help your doctor determine what caused your sciatica.
Treating Sciatica
Once we understand what is causing your sciatica, we can create a personalized treatment plan to help you recover fully. Our chiropractors can perform spinal manipulation to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve. We can also use other chiropractic treatments, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Massage therapy
- Heat and cold therapy
- Corrective exercises
- Lifestyle advice
It will likely take several visits for optimal results. However, you should start feeling some relief after your first visit.
Visit Us for Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief from Our Chiropractors in Frisco, TX
If you are dealing with sciatic nerve pain, call Beyond Innovation Chiropractic. Our Frisco chiropractors can create a treatment plan to ease your pain and symptoms, improving your quality of life.