Are you experiencing sharp, shooting pains from your back to your feet? Or chronic pain in your lower back? Dr. Corey Christiansen at Cottage Grove Family Chiropractic provides all-natural sciatica relief to the residents of Cottage Grove, Madison, Sun Prairie, Deerfield, and Marshall, WI.
Guide to Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica in Cottage Grove, Madison, Sun Prairie, Deerfield, and Marshall, WI
Sciatica is the name used for symptoms that occur due to irritation of the sciatic nerve. How does the irritation occur? How do you know you have sciatica? And how does chiropractic treatment help? Dr. Christiansen and the team at Cottage Grove Family Chiropractic answer these questions and more below.
Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica
You might imagine nerves as not being very long, but the sciatic nerve is quite the opposite. It extends from your lower back to your feet. Most often, sciatica occurs when a herniated disc in the lower back pushes out onto this nerve. However, compression can occur anywhere along the nerve’s path and because of anything from herniated discs to trigger points.
When the nerve is irritated or compressed, it may cause lower back pain and leg pain, or tingling, numbness, or weakness in the legs or feet. The symptoms can make it difficult to move, stand, or walk.
The most common indication that you have sciatica is that these symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. And often, they are alleviated – at least to some degree – after moving around for a bit or changing positions. However, the best way to determine if you are dealing with sciatica is by letting a chiropractor assess your condition and provide a proper diagnosis.
How Chiropractors Treat Sciatica
The goal of chiropractic treatment is to address whatever is irritating the nerve. Adjustments and spinal decompression are most often the foundation of sciatica treatment, as they restore alignment and stretch the spine. This naturally relieves compression from the nerve.
Soft tissue therapies are also beneficial. They relieve tension and trigger points that could be contributing to your condition. They also stimulate blood flow, reduce inflammation, restore range of motion, and promote natural pain relief through the release of endorphins.
Chiropractors also recommend exercises and nutritional guidance to apply to your daily life. These recommendations can help speed up your recovery and help prevent sciatica from taking root again in the future.
If you are experiencing sciatica symptoms, schedule an appointment with Dr. Christiansen at Cottage Grove Family Chiropractic – your Cottage Grove, Madison, Sun Prairie, Deerfield, and Marshall, WI chiropractor – by calling (608) 839-5787.