Young or senior, active or inactive, sciatica is a condition that can affect almost anyone. The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body, starting at our lower back and sectioning off through each buttock and down each leg.
The nerve provides sensation to our legs and helps the muscles in our legs and feet move, making its health important to many of our everyday activities. When the nerve becomes impaired, it can lead to sciatica, which can become very painful.
This post discusses:
- What sciatica is
- Patients who experience sciatica
- Tips to reduce sciatica discomfort
- Chiropractic care to treat sciatica
- And more
If you’re feeling pain or motion loss in your lower back, hips, or legs, sciatica may be the reason. Read on to learn all about sciatica and how to get it under control.
What is Sciatica?
Because the sciatic nerve is found throughout the entire lower half of the body, several areas can become compromised. When tissues along the nerve apply pressure to the specific area of the nerve and cause pain, the condition is referred to as sciatica.
Symptoms and conditions related to sciatica include:
- Lower back pain
- Mid back pain
- Hip pain
- Plantar fasciitis
- Inflammation
- Disc herniation or injury
- Sprains and strains
Typically, sciatica occurs due to pressure on or pinching of a targeted section of the sciatic nerve related to an imbalance in the spine, such as a herniated disc. However, the inflammation of other tissues around the nerve can also create the condition.
Who Gets Sciatica?
While there’s no one type of person who can suffer from sciatica, some are more prone to the condition than others.
Common sciatica patients include:
- Those who lead a sedentary lifestyle
- Those with poor posture or movement patterns
- Those who wear improper or unsupportive shoes
- Those who sit at a desk regularly and for long periods
- Those with a chronic injury in or around the spine
- Those involved with high-impact exercise, sports, or activities
- Those involved in a traumatic accident, causing injury to the spine, such as a car accident
Sciatica can affect all kinds of people with different lifestyles; however, they all have the same goal: to control their sciatica discomfort as quickly and safely as possible.
3 Tips to Reduce Sciatica Pain Now
Stretch the spine and lower body
Stretching is vital to how our bodies work. Flexibility, correct movement patterns, and range of motion all benefit from regular stretching. Because sciatica stems from pressure on the nerve, the right stretches can help remove those pressures for quick pain relief.
Gentle stretches that can reduce sciatica pain include:
- Cat and cow stretches
- Laying on the back and pulling one knee into the chest and holding, repeat on the other side
- Laying on the back and pulling both knees into the chest as you raise your head off the floor toward your knees and holding
- Stretching your glute muscles
- Laying on the floor and bending both knees, put the right ankle over the opposite thigh, and pull the legs back toward the body, repeat on the other side
Self-massage with a foam roller
Using a foam roller to massage the lower part of the body is a great way to get instant relief from sciatica pain.
Lay on the ground and put the roller under the body. The pressure from your body weight allows for deep penetration of the muscles and tissues. This soothes the tissues, relaxes muscles, and removes tension on the nerve.
Pelvic tilts
Pelvic tilts are a strengthening exercise that supports the core and abdominals so they can protect the back and spine. However, when experiencing sciatica pain, they can also reduce pressure on the low back and quickly minimize discomfort.
Lie on the floor with your knees bent and flatten your back to the floor, engaging your ab muscles and pushing your pelvis up; hold for 10-20 seconds.
Visit Our Aurora Chiropractic Clinic for Sciatica Treatment
It’s best to work with an experienced sciatica chiropractor for lasting sciatica solutions. Our team will determine where your injury lies and create a wellness plan that treats the source of your symptoms.
Common chiropractic solutions we use to treat sciatica include:
- Chiropractic adjustments
- Cox Flexion Distraction
- Laser therapy
- Dry needling
- And more
We know you want to manage your sciatica pain with safe, non-invasive care so you can get back to your routine comfortably. Let us help. Contact our Aurora chiropractic clinic today.
Derek Rose
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