Today, we’re going to discuss sciatica. For those who don’t know, sciatica is the painful condition that occurs when the sciatic nerve, which is the body’s largest nerve, is inflamed. The sciatic nerve is an extremely complex nerve that stretches from the bottom of the spinal cord through the pelvis, buttocks, hips, legs and feet. Sciatica often accompanies low back pain, which afflicts every adult from time to time

As a sidebar, sciatica costs billions of dollars in healthcare and more lost days of work than anything but the common cold. Low back pain and sciatica can baffle medical professionals, arising without warning and continuing for long periods of time.

Often, sciatica is brought on by a sudden event - such as an automobile accident. However, cumulative damage resulting from other causes that can include excess weight and incorrect posture can also cause sciatica. More specifically, the most common cause of sciatica occurs when a ruptured or bulging disk in the spinal cord presses on the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve. However, abnormalities in the vertebrae such as narrowing of the spinal canal, bone spurs brought on by arthritis, tumors, and even pregnancy can also put stress on the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica is a symptom of a problem at some point along the sciatic nerve rather than an ailment in and of itself. A herniated disc in the back, spinal stenosis and piriformis syndrome are medical disorders that can cause sciatica. People who have sciatica often find it deibilitating and are driven to seek relief from conventional medical treatment, alternative therapies and sometimes "miracle" cures.

Unfortunately, the sciatic nerve pain varies tremendously from person to person. Usually, sciatic nerve pain is only felt on one side of the body. Also, a person may feel numb in certain areas of the body, but feel a sharp pain in other areas that can include a hip or a leg. That said, sciatica can also be felt as a mild tingling sensation or even as a burning sensation. By the way, in some cases, the back pain or leg pain can be so severe that it can render an individual immobile.

Many sciatica patients can clearly describe that the condition was related to a sudden lumbar strain, for instance, when lifting and carrying heavy objects, a long time bending or after falling. Therefore, in order to avoid lumbar strain, warm-up is essential before doing heavy work suddenly. The incidence of sciatica could be reduced after strengthening exercise on muscles and improving the damp living environment. Acute sciatica patients need to seek medical advice timely.

The sciatic nerve pain usually lasts for about six weeks, but this nerve pain can worsen when a person stands for a long period of time, walks longer than 50 to 100 yards, performs knee to chest exercises - or even when lying down. The sciatic nerve pain can also worsen at nighttime or after a person laughs, coughs or sneezes. In order to determine the exact cause and severity of sciatica, someone should seek professional help. A chiropractor will review the medical history of a patient and perform an examination. We may also employ diagnostic tools that can include x-rays, electro diagnostic tests, CT scans and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging).

Chiropractor care can help ease the back pain, leg pain and other nerve pain that stems from sciatica by helping the body heal itself - in a manner that is drug free and non-invasive. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself. It’s based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance.

The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments. Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain. Ultrasound is gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrates deep into tissues. Ultrasound increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

A TENS unit is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehab professionals.

Finally, at the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Adjustments free restricted movement of the spine and help to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustments help reduce nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful and are safe and effective.