Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

Sciatica is different from ordinary 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. That's why our team at Shenandoah Chiropractic in Harrisonburg is here to help you find relief from your sciatica.

What Is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve branches out from the lumbar portion of the spine through the hips and extends down to the feet. When the vertebrae in the spine are out of alignment, one or more nerve branches are compressed and cause irritation and inflammation. Chiropractic adjustments work to properly align the spine by removing the sciatic nerve's compression. 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.

Sciatica Symptoms

A common symptom is sciatic nerve pain 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 sciatic 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 adjustments to put your spine back into alignment, taking pressure off the nerve. Combining various chiropractic adjustments and treatments is effective in properly relieving sciatica. Chiropractic care puts the vertebrae back into place, while hands-on manipulation helps the muscles relax, making it easier for you to regain your ability to move freely.

The goal of treating sciatica goes beyond relieving pain and other discomforts. Our doctor seeks to reduce the level of inflammation and increase flexibility and range of motion. That's why we also recommend rest, icing, and stretching as part of our sciatica treatment.

Contact Us for Treatment from Our Chiropractor in Harrisonburg, VA

Our team at Shenandoah Chiropractic is ready to help patients in Harrisonburg and the surrounding areas manage their sciatica. Our chiropractor has experience in helping patients recover from sciatica and achieve optimal wellness. That's why we will create a customized plan that works best for you. Give us a call to find out how we can help you live pain-free.