Sciatica Signs and Treatment

Sciatica is different from common back pain. With this condition, you might feel pain or uncomfortable nerve sensations that run from your lower back and down one leg, reaching into your calf or foot. Nerve sensations can include numbness, tingling, burning, and muscle weakness. The source of sciatica is nerve compression affecting the sciatic nerve. The key to effective sciatica treatment is to start with an examination. If you are dealing with sciatica, our team at Corrective Chiropractic in London can help you find relief.

What Is Sciatica

The Sciatic nerve branches out from the lumbar portion of the spine, through the hips, and extend down to the feet. When the vertebrae in the lumbar spine get out of alignment, one or more branches of the nerve are compressed and cause irritation and inflammation. Chiropractic adjustments work to properly align the spine by removing compression from the sciatic nerve. In some cases, sciatica is caused by a herniated or slipped disk or narrowing of the spine. Typically, sciatica symptoms will only impact one side of the body.

Signs of Sciatica 

A common symptom is pain in the sciatic nerve that runs down the lower back, hips, and buttocks. This can cause pain in the legs and feet too. The intensity of the pain varies with each patient. Numbness in the leg is another symptom that you may feel. This is caused by bone spurs and discs pressing on the sciatica nerve. Another symptom is tingling in the feet. This is similar to when your arm or leg falls asleep.

Swelling, weak muscles, and inflammation are also common symptoms of sciatica. If you are experiencing difficultly traversing staircases or walking, this may be due to sciatica. Other symptoms are lower back pain, problems with moving the legs, pain standing up or sitting down, a burning sensation, and discomfort on one side of the buttocks.

How We Can Help

Our chiropractor can help by using gentle manipulation to put your spine back into alignment taking pressure off the nerve. Combining massage therapy with chiropractic treatment is another effective method of relieving sciatica. Chiropractic manipulation puts the vertebrae back into place while massage therapy helps the muscles relax making it easier for you to regain your ability to move freely. We will refer you to a local massage therapist if your treatment plan includes massage therapy.

Contact Our Team for Help in London

Our team at Corrective Chiropractic is ready to help patients in the London area manage their sciatica. Our clinic will create a customized treatment plan that works best for you. Give us a call today at 519-474-6808 or contact us online to schedule your first appointment. Our team is ready to help you find the relief you need from sciatica.