Chiropractor in Wichita Advises: Don’t Let The Pain of Sciatica Interfere With Your Life

Wichita Chiropractor

As a Wichita Chiropractor for more than twenty years, I have assisted a significant number of people suffering from the pain of sciatica, so I know from experience just how debilitating sciatic pain can be. Sciatica sufferers are unfortunately all too familiar with the type of deep pain that frequently radiates through the lower part of their body, accompanies their waking hours each day and inhibits almost all of their daily activities.

Here’s how you can determine if your low back pain is generated by sciatica. If your pain travels from your low back, through your buttock(s), down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s), and possibly penetrates into your knee(s), you are more than likely suffering from sciatica. Moreover, sitting, as well as activity, can be painful. Commonly lying down will lessen, or occasionally even temporarily eliminate the pain. However, it’s important for you to know that sciatica cannot be corrected without proper management.

Radiculopathy

A radiculopathy is a medical term used to describe a condition where a disc has protruded from its normal position in the spine and is creating pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) that forms part of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. This kind of pressure is extremely painful.

Added pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine, can take place during and after prolonged sitting, specifically in an awkward position. A specific event or injury isn’t generally the cause of sciatica, but rather sciatica tends to progress over time due to everyday wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine can lose its ability to function normally during everyday stresses.

If this occurs, the intervertebral disc incurs small fissures or cracks, which then allow the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is created as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This condition is commonly referred to as a ruptured, or slipped, disc. Sciatica is the result of the disc pressing on the spinal nerve. Fortunately, most disc conditions, including sciatica, can be significantly decreased with chiropractic adjustments and management that often includes postural exercises.

Periformis Syndrome

Another condition that creates sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome develops when the periformis muscle, for any reason, goes into spasm and irritates the sciatic nerve, which runs “deep to the muscle.” In combination with chiropractic manipulation, this kind of sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor will suggest.

It is vital for you to see your chiropractor for treatment if you are experiencing sciatic pain. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Chiropractor in Wichita, I look forward to helping you to get out of pain and get your life back!