Find out whether your back pain could be sciatica and how to best treat it.
While most people hear the word “sciatica” and assume this is a physical condition, it’s actually a symptom. Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatica nerve, which runs from the lower back down to the hips and buttocks, all the way to the legs. In most cases, sciatica only appears on one side. So, what causes sciatica? And what can our Midtown Manhattan, NY, chiropractor Dr. Gordon Kuang do about it? Let’s find out!
What causes sciatica?
Since sciatica is a symptom and not a condition, it’s essential for our Midtown Manhattan chiropractic team to first determine what is causing your sciatica. The most common causes of sciatica include,
- Muscle strain
- Pregnancy
- Scar tissue
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis (a minor fracture)
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
How do I know that it’s sciatica?
As we mentioned above, sciatica typically only affects one side of the body. The pain may start in the lower back, but it’s also felt under the buttocks and thighs. The pain is usually characterized as a sharp or stabbing pain and can sometimes cause numbness or tingling in the leg.
Sciatica pain may get worse during sudden movements. You may notice that pain eases up when you lie down or move around; however, sitting or standing may worsen the pain. Symptoms will vary depending on the cause of sciatica. For example, patients with spinal stenosis may experience sciatic pain whenever they bend backward or walk for longer distances.
How can a chiropractor treat my sciatica?
Before we create a treatment plan, our Midtown Manhattan, NY, chiropractor will need to examine you to determine what is causing your sciatica. In some cases, diagnostic testing such as an MRI or X-rays will be necessary to help us check for fractures, compressed nerves and herniated discs.
Our goal is to always provide you with the most effective treatment you need to help reduce your symptoms and improve how your body functions and feels. Chiropractic care can help your body heal faster and more efficiently by targeting the root cause of your sciatica. It is also a safe, non-invasive, non-surgical and drug-free option for treating your symptoms. Common chiropractic treatments for sciatica include,
- Cold therapy: to reduce pain and inflammation
- Ultrasound: to reduce inflammation, pain and muscle spasms
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical stimulation): to reduce pain and muscle spasms
- Spinal adjustments: to reduce inflammation, stiffness, pain and muscle spasms while also freeing trapped or compressed nerves
If you are dealing with sciatica or think you might be, it’s time to turn to our Midtown Manhattan, NY, chiropractor, Dr. Kuang. To schedule an evaluation, call us today at (212) 242-3210.