CONDITIONS WE TREAT

Sciatica

Relief from lower back and leg nerve pain in Mount Pleasant, SC.

Clinical lifestyle photo representing back and leg pain relief

THE CONDITION

Don't Ignore The Symptoms

Lower back and leg pain that travels down into the foot may be a sign of sciatica - a type of pinched nerve in the lower back. Don't ignore these symptoms, even if they come and go, because they can progress into chronic pain. Most back pain eases within 24 to 48 hours, but sciatica often doesn't heal on its own. It usually starts out annoying and intermittent and, without treatment, can become constant and debilitating. Sciatica typically affects the lower back and one leg - though in rare cases both - and severe, untreated sciatica can cause leg weakness and numbness that makes walking difficult without assistance.

UNDERSTANDING SCIATICA

Common Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica is the inflammation, irritation, or compression of the sciatic nerve - one of the longest and thickest nerves in the body. It exits the spine in the lower back, branches, and travels down each leg to the feet. Because it runs so far, an injury anywhere along its path can cause sciatica. Common triggers include:

Low back muscle sprains & strains

Lumbar spine subluxations

Herniated or slipped discs

Spinal stenosis in the lower back

A slipped vertebra

Pregnancy

RISK FACTORS

Who's Most At Risk?

Sedentary Lifestyle

People who are inactive or above a healthy weight range are more prone to sciatica than those who stay active.

Older Adults

Sciatica becomes more common with age as the spine and discs change over time.

Pregnancy

The added weight and shifts in posture during pregnancy can put extra pressure on the sciatic nerve.

OUR APPROACH

Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment

The first step is a proper diagnosis from Dr. Randy. Once we understand the cause of your sciatic nerve injury or compression, we build a treatment plan to reduce your pain, numbness, and muscle weakness.

One of our primary options is the chiropractic spinal adjustment, which works especially well when sciatica is caused by soft-tissue inflammation, a back injury, a slipped disc, or misaligned vertebrae. When vertebrae shift out of place - through an accident, injury, or a common muscle pull - they can press on nearby nerves and soft tissue and cause localized inflammation. By correcting those misalignments, we help facilitate healing and reduce your inflammation and pain. After several treatments, many patients notice less reliance on pain medication and improved mobility.

Chiropractic spinal adjustment for sciatic nerve pain relief