Sciatica FAQs at Arlington Chiropractic Clinic
At Arlington Chiropractic Clinic PC, our team of doctors provides natural and holistic healing to people from Arlington Heights, Kildeer, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Mt. Prospect, and the surrounding IL communities. Many of our patients come to us with concerns and questions about sciatica, a common condition that can disrupt day-to-day life, but one that fortunately responds well to chiropractic care!
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a syndrome that happens when the sciatic nerve (in your lower back) becomes pinched and irritated as it exits the spinal column. This pinching or compression can occur because of an injured disc (such as a torn, degenerated, bulging or herniated disc), joint inflammation, arthritis, or a cyst. More rarely, a tumor or mass may be causing the compression.
Your sciatic nerves (they come in a pair) are the largest nerves in your body and travel from the lower back to the toes. These nerves provide motor and sensory information to the legs, and symptoms can occur anywhere along the course of the nerve.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica?
Primary signs and symptoms of sciatica affect the leg (usually just one). These include:
- Pain—burning, shooting, stabbing, or searing
- Numbness and tingling
- Weakness (a person may notice that their foot drags or they frequently trip while walking)
- Altered reflexes
These symptoms can go from the buttocks all the way down to the foot and often get worse after excessive standing or sitting. Back pain and stiffness may also occur.
What Are Sciatica Risk Factors?
Sciatica can affect anyone but is most common in people who are in their 40s and 50s. It's often found in people with physically demanding jobs or, alternatively, in someone who sits a lot.
Additional risk factors for sciatica or things that make sciatica worse include:
- Slips/falls, auto accidents, and other types of personal injury (current or in the past)
- Overweight and obesity
- Arthritis and degenerative disc disease
- Poor posture
- Smoking, poor diet, and other things that promote inflammation
- Frequent heavy lifting, bending and twisting
How Do Our Chiropractors Manage Sciatica?
Our goal of sciatica treatment is to address the cause and resolve the sciatic nerve compression itself while also eliminating symptoms. We do this through chiropractic services such as:
- Spine and extremity adjustments
- Exercises and stretches
- Physical therapy modalities such as muscle stimulation and ultrasound
- Mechanical traction
- Weight management, nutrition, and lifestyle counseling
- Acupuncture
Like to Learn More About Sciatica?
If you're concerned that you may have sciatica and would like to learn more about this condition—and how chiropractic care can help—we invite you to call the Arlington Chiropractic Clinic at (847) 259-4493. Our services can truly get to the "root" of the issue and help you start feeling better even after just one session. Call today!
