Bottom Line:

Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. Sciatica most often occurs when there’s pressure against the nerve.

The most common structures can cause sciatica such as:

·        Piriformis Syndrome

o   The piriformis muscle in the buttocks presses on the sciatic nerve. The syndrome, which affects more women than men, is uncommon. But when it occurs, it can cause sciatica-type symptoms.

·        Bulging or Herniated Disc

o   This condition occurs when the soft center of a spinal disc pushes through a crack in the tougher exterior casing. Some herniated discs cause no symptoms. Others can irritate nearby nerves and result in pain, numbness, or weakness in an arm or leg.

·        Muscle Spasm

o   Involuntary contractions of a muscle, typically harmless and temporary, but can be painful.

·        Pinched Nerve

o   The nerve exiting the spine has too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues, such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons.

There’s a ton of myths out there for treating sciatica.

Read on for the facts.

Why it Matters:

Most common causes of sciatica all require movement to help with the healing process. Motion is lotion! That’s one thing Dr. Brad Polen at Superior Chiropractic & Rehab in Glen Carbon / Edwardsville knows all too well to help our clients stay active, strong, and healthy without prescription drugs or surgery.

Here’s a brief review of what you can do at home:

·        Avoid sitting for long periods of time

·        Practice good posture

·        Exercises the improve core strength

·        Stretching the low back and hamstrings

·        Light cardiovascular exercises such as walking or swimming

·        Proper lifting techniques when strength training

Next Steps:

Most cases of sciatica resolve in less than 4 to 6 weeks. In more severe cases, you may have a more prolonged course of recovery. Some studies have shown that poor lifting mechanics, depression, and other medical conditions can lead to an increased chance of chronic, recurrent sciatica.

As a result, some cases may need more attention and require a professional to help. Luckily, you can talk Dr. Brad Polen who is a sciatica expert in Glen Carbon / Edwardsville at Superior Chiropractic & Rehab for free to learn about your options Click the button below to schedule your 20 minute discovery call.