All About Sciatica & Relieving Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatica hurts. It can start as a dull ache going from the lower back, through the behind and down through the legs. Sometimes it is a shocking, burning pain that makes walking, sitting or moving difficult. The pain typically comes from a pinched sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. The pinching may have different reasons, and that’s where we come in. 

Our sciatica doctor near you, Dr. McHone, spends time testing each patient experiencing lower back pain and leg pain to find out what the underlying cause is before recommending a course of treatment. 

We offer our patients several Austin chiropractic treatments for sciatica using noninvasive methods to combat the source of the problem. 

What is Sciatica? 

Unfortunately, sciatica is common and leads to pain and discomfort. Sciatica is a symptom of many conditions such as a herniated or slipped disc . The term "sciatica" refers to pain, numbness and tingling that run along the path of the sciatic nerve. The tingling and other uncomfortable issues associated with sciatica tend to begin in your lower back and may extend throughout your hips and buttocks. Sciatica will cause issues throughout your entire leg in some cases. Usually, if you have sciatica, you will only have symptoms on one side of your body. 

Symptoms of Sciatica 

The symptoms of sciatica depend on the severity of the pinched nerve. In most cases, you will notice pain, tingling or numbness in your lower back and upper legs. Generally, the discomfort spreads throughout the area and is more noticeable when standing or changing positions. 

Although most cases of the problem result in discomfort and pain, it may also cause weakness throughout the area. You may notice the discomfort coming and going due to a minor problem or you may notice a consistent discomfort when the nerve is injured or pinched. Our You want to address the discomfort as soon as you notice the problem to avoid complications with your health. 

Experiencing pain in your lower back or noticing any odd feelings in the lower extremities of your body may suggest a pinched nerve. The sciatic nerve, which is located in your lower back, runs down the upper portion of your legs and impacts your physical feeling in the area. When you develop sciatica due to an accident, poor posture or any other situation, it may require help from a chiropractor to address the problem. 

A chiropractor near you may use decompression therapy, spinal adjustments and other appropriate treatments to improve your mobility and reduce the pain you experience. 

Pinched Nerve Due to Sciatica 

The pinched nerve could come from several different sources, but herniated or bulging lumbar discs are very common causes. It can also stem from something called Piriformis syndrome , however. If something is inflaming or causing the piriformis muscle to have spasms, this will also put painful pressure on the nerve. Misaligned vertebrae in the lower back can also cause this leg and back pain. Once Dr. McHone knows what the underlying cause is, she can help a patient get better by addressing it directly, through spinal adjustments and natural healing techniques-no surgery or medication. 

Causes of Sciatica 

In most cases, sciatica happens as a result of a herniated disc. A herniated disc occurs when the inner rubbery cushion inside of the disc begins to exit the center of the disc through a tear in the lining of the disc. The contents tend to aggravate the nearby nerves including the sciatic nerve. 

Spinal stenosis may also cause sciatica. Spinal stenosis causes the passageway of the spine to narrow. As areas of the spine narrow, they cause irritation to nerves surrounding the spine. A bone spur, bone projections along the outside of the bone, on the spine will cause irritation to the nearby nerves including the sciatic nerve. 

Sciatica During Pregnancy 

Pregnancy can cause sciatica. During the first trimester, you may notice you have sciatica because of your fluctuating hormone levels. Sciatica is possible in the third trimester as well. It occurs in the third trimester as a result of the baby placing pressure on the sciatic nerve. 

Sciatic Pain Relief with Chiropractic 

Nonsurgical treatment in Austin, such as a chiropractic adjustment, for sciatica or related discomforts in your back and legs addresses the underlying cause of the pain. In most cases, the pain or discomfort stems from pressure on the nerve or injuries to the nerve. It may also relate to poor alignment of the spine in the area, which interferes with your body's natural communication system. 

Pain in your back does not necessarily mean you must use harsh medications or treatments. A natural treatment strategy allows you to address the discomfort by encouraging the healing process. 

Have Questions About Sciatica Treatment? Call Our Austin Chiropractor Now 

Have you ever had a pinched sciatic nerve? What treatments helped you the most? For natural treatments for your sciatica pain and discomfort, contact our chiropractor at Austin Chiropractic & Rehab, serving Austin, TX and the surrounding area, by contacting us at 512-451-0115 to schedule an appointment.