Many people will suffer from sciatica in their lifetime for a variety of reasons. Some people develop sciatica because of poor posture, obesity, blood clots, or other issues, and others develop the condition after a trauma like a car accident. If you are unlucky enough to experience sciatic pain, you will likely seek medical care to alleviate the pain. A good place to start is a Lithia Springs chiropractor, though they might refer you to other specialists depending on your case’s severity. Different doctors can offer relief from sciatic pain so it’s important to understand who to visit when.
Understanding Sciatica
The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down past the buttocks and the back of the legs, all the way to the feet, making it the largest nerve in the human body. What you need to know about sciatica is that when that nerve is inflamed or injured, the pain that results is referred to as sciatic pain. There are rare cases where this can result from serious conditions like spinal stenosis, where the spinal canal narrows and compresses the nerves. Even a tumor in the spine or nerve damage can occasionally result in sciatic pain, but most often there is a less serious cause.
A herniated or bulging disc can also put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause this pain. This occurs when the discs that sit between vertebrae to provide cushion and absorb shock slip out of place or rupture. This can be a result of degenerative disc disease, osteoarthritis, or even trauma like a car accident injury. Pregnancy is also a common reason for sciatica, as the center of gravity shifts and joints become more elastic.
The main symptoms of sciatica are weakness, numbness, tingling, or pain in the lower back, legs, and feet. The pain may be dull for some people, while others will cite sharp pain that radiates down the length of the nerve. Movement often exacerbates the pain.
Seeking Care for Sciatica
While sciatic pain may resolve on its own after a few days, that does not mean the root cause of the issue has been resolved. As soon as symptoms begin, you should reduce your activity levels and keep note of what aggravates the pain. However, it is not recommended to completely stop moving, but instead to use gentle stretches to relieve nerve compression. Using ice packs for 20 minutes at a time can also offer relief.
If symptoms continue or worsen, you should visit a medical professional for a proper diagnosis. Residual pain after a few days indicates you should find care. Symptoms such as loss of leg movement or sensation or loss of bowel and bladder control indicate you should seek immediate care.
When you first visit a Lithia Springs chiropractor, you’ll likely have a conversation about your symptoms and medical history to help understand what is going on. In addition to this, the chiropractor will perform a physical examination to see if they can determine anything from manually assessing the spine. If more information is needed, you may be sent to an imaging center for diagnostic imaging like an X-Ray or an MRI to get more complete pictures of what is damaging the nerve.
Sciatica Specialists
While a Lithia Springs chiropractor is able to perform an initial examination and can treat many cases, they may bring in other specialists for additional or more invasive care.
A neurologist specializes in the human nervous system and therefore may be suited to address issues with the sciatic nerve. Neurologists will often be involved in diagnostic imaging and determining the root cause of your pain. Orthopedic doctors will often be brought in for more aggressive intervention, like surgical intervention to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
As you begin recovery from your treatment for sciatica, your chiropractor may also bring in a physical therapist to help you regain strength or a pain management specialist.
Central Location for Spine Specialists
If you may be suffering from sciatica, seeking help from a Lithia Springs chiropractor is an important first step to recovery. At AICA Lithia Springs, our chiropractors work with a team of spine specialists to deliver comprehensive care. With onsite diagnostic imaging centers, neurologists, orthopedists, physical therapists, and pain management specialists, we are able to care for sciatica no matter the severity. This allows us to treat your pain holistically without referring you to outside specialists, simplifying the process. Contact us today to make your first appointment and begin seeking relief today!