Have you ever experienced sciatica? Or you’ve never heard of it? Perhaps you experience symptoms such as low back pain, yet you’re unaware if it’s sciatica. Some people seeking low back pain relief in San Diego claim that their pain stems from sciatica, but what is sciatica, and how does it affect you?
Sciatica is a painful and uncomfortable condition that starts in the lower back. If you experience a ruptured or herniated disk, sciatica, you may eventually notice signs of sciatica. Bone spurs and spinal stenosis can also irritate your sciatic nerve and lead to painful sciatica flare-ups. These conditions can put more than usual pressure on your sciatic nerve.
The sciatic nerve is the long nerve that runs from the low back through the hips, butt, and down each leg. If your sciatic nerve gets stressed or compressed, you may experience inflammation, pain, and even numbness in the side of the affected leg. Your front, outside, and back of either leg may hurt, too, with low back pain as one of its common symptoms.
Usually, the pain and discomfort subside within a few weeks without needing any medical procedure. However, in some cases, the pain caused by pressure in the sciatic nerve can progress and become severe. Sciatica generally affects one side of the leg only, though it is not impossible for it to cause discomfort on both sides. Sciatica patients who experience weakness and numbness in some areas of the affected leg or foot tend to worry and explore their options for low back pain relief in San Diego.
Not all sciatica cases stem from what we mentioned above, though. These conditions can potentially irritate the sciatic nerve, too:
- Pregnancy
- Spondylolisthesis
- Pelvic tumors
- Piriformis syndrome
- Injury or physical trauma
How do you know it’s sciatica?
Some health conditions mimic each other’s symptoms. To let you identify if your sciatic nerve is irritated or stressed, here are some signs and symptoms:
- Discomfort or achiness along the path of the sciatic nerve
- Pain from the lower back that radiates down to the buttocks and leg
- Pain that ranges between mild and achy to burning, sharp and debilitating
- Pain like an electric shock
- Symptoms that get worse upon sneezing or coughing, or sitting for an extended period
- Muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling
- Pain on one side of the body
To learn more about the connection between head and neck injuries and back pain, download our complimentary e-book by clicking the image below.
Natural Sciatica Care: Simple Methods to Alleviate Pain
People with sciatica can follow some easy at-home care to help manage their pain and discomfort. While resting is always a good idea, sciatica patients should know that resting for too long can aggravate their condition. Likewise, choosing to be sedentary can do more harm than good. Instead of refusing movement, here are some ways you can try that can potentially help your sciatica pain:
Cold packs
Apply ice or cold packs to the affected area for about 20 minutes. Repeat for up to three days. Always use a cloth barrier to protect your skin.
Hot packs
Once inflammation is reduced, apply heat to the painful area to improve blood flow and help healing. Use a towel as a buffer to avoid burns.
Maintain good posture while sitting
Ensure your seat has lumbar support, a swivel base, and armrests. Your knees and hips should be level. A rolled towel can support the natural spinal curve.
Stretching
Gentle lower back stretches can help relieve pain and decompress nerve roots. Hold poses for 30 seconds and avoid jerking or twisting motions.
Exercise regularly
Keep your body strong and mobile. Regular movement enhances flexibility, blood flow, and spinal strength.
Maintain proper posture
Proper alignment of the head, neck, and back helps prevent sciatic nerve irritation. Avoid slouching to relieve tension and enhance overall function.
Upper Cervical Care for Sciatica
Another way to get low back pain relief in San Diego is through upper cervical chiropractic adjustments. Sometimes, sciatica stems from a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, which can influence the alignment and balance of the entire spine.
Upper cervical chiropractic care is a specialized technique focusing on the top two neck vertebrae—C1 and C2. Chiropractors use calculated, gentle movements to restore proper spinal alignment starting at the top.
Nimbus Brain & Spine, Your Source of Low Back Pain Relief in San Diego
Ignoring sciatica symptoms and not properly addressing your condition can worsen your condition. You can explore some of the natural ways we mentioned above to help with your pain. But make sure only to seek board-certified chiropractic doctors for upper cervical chiropractic adjustments.
If sciatica is interfering with your life, you can call us at (858) 432-3072 or book an appointment online. Our chiropractic doctor, Dr. Vivek Soham, is known for using a safe and gentle NUCCA technique to realign the bones of your neck without force. Let us help you restore the balance and alignment in your body to let it heal naturally.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Soham, call our San Diego office at (858) 432-3072. You can also click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area, you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.