Sciatica

It can be easy to take for granted just how much we use our legs on a daily basis until they are in pain and that movement becomes harder. Legs can be in pain for a variety of reasons, from injuries to a good workout. However, if you have ever experienced leg pain due to sciatica, you know it can be a different experience altogether. You may feel aching, tingling, shocking, or burning, and sciatic leg pain can severely impact quality of life. The good news is that with the help of a Raleigh chiropractor, many people with this type of pain are able to find relief and resume their normal activities.

What Is Sciatic Leg Pain?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, beginning in the lower back and running through the buttocks, down the legs, and all the way to the toes. Overall, 5 smaller nerves make up the sciatic nerve. When the sciatic nerve is irritated, pinched, or inflamed, this can cause severe pain throughout the length of the nerve. Consistent pain because of this is known as sciatica, and it can range from mildly annoying to a debilitating pain that interferes with quality of life.

The area of the leg experiencing pain may help determine which sciatic nerve root is being compressed or disturbed. For example, inflammation of the S1 nerve can cause pain in the pinky toe. Sciatic leg pain is described in a variety of ways, from burning to “crawling” to numbness, and the type of pain can also indicate which parts of the sciatic nerve need care. In almost all cases, movements like bending or twisting will worsen the pain.

Treating Leg Pain from Sciatica

Many people try to address the pain they are feeling due to sciatic leg pain using painkillers, injections, or even surgery in more severe cases. While this usually alleviates the symptoms, it rarely fixes the root cause of the pain by addressing the sciatic nerve itself. However, there is another option.

Chiropractors commonly see people suffering from sciatica pain of all types, and they are able to perform chiropractic adjustments that actually improve the condition in the sciatic nerve, resolving pain at the root. The care of a chiropractor is proven to be effective at resolving this type of pain.

One study showed that when those suffering from sciatic leg pain underwent adjustments, they felt less pain and for a shorter duration of time than those who were not under chiropractic care. These results are confirmed in another study of 576 people presenting with sciatic pain, in which an average of 43 days in the care of a chiropractor led to an improvement in their condition.

Leaving sciatic leg pain untreated will cause it to get worse and can even lead to other degenerative issues over time. If you are suffering from sciatic leg pain, Dr. Nikolai Simonsen of Adapt Chiropractic may be able to help you find relief. By performing gentle adjustments, Dr. Simonsen and our Raleigh staff can help the sciatic nerve work as it should to support your whole-body health.

Sources

Cox, J.M., Shreiner, S. “Chiropractic Manipulation in Low Back Pain and Sciatica: Statistical Data on the Diagnosis, Treatment and Response of 576 Consecutive Cases.” Journal of Manipulative Physiological Therapies, 1984 Mar; 7 (1): 1-11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/6232332/

Santilli, V., Beghi, E., Finucci, S. “Chiropractic Manipulation in the Treatment of Acute Back Pain and Sciatica with Disc Protrusion: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial of Active and Simulated Spinal Manipulations.” The Spine Journal, Mar-Apr 2006; 6 (2): 131-7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16517383/.