The medical condition known as sciatica is characterized by pain, numbness, or tingling brought on by an irritated sciatic nerve and its related inflammation. According to Dr. Binh Nguyen and the team of professionals at Cedar Chiropractic & Sports in Hopkinton, MA, when your sciatic nerve is compressed, it can cause various lower back and leg sensations that may reach a severe or debilitating intensity level that has the potential to disrupt your daily routine.
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerves, which commence in the lower back and extend down through each of your legs, are the longest nerves in your body.
Aggravating or compressing a sciatic nerve can cause a spectrum of sensations including pain, which may vary from mild to intense. The pain is typically felt in the lower back and often radiates down one leg. The pain stemming from a sciatica condition generally is caused by –
- A back injury/trauma.
- Spinal Stenosis.
- Degenerative Disc Disease.
- A herniated/bulging spinal disc, to name a few.
What Can I Do To Reduce Sciatica Symptoms?
A chiropractor is trained in varying techniques that can help relieve the sciatica pressure causing pain and other symptoms. Patients in our Hopkinton, MA, office may potentially receive any one or combination of these chiropractic services –
- Chiropractic Manipulations/Adjustments to the spine.
- Spinal Decompression.
- Active Release Technique.
- Graston Technique, and more.
Additionally, Dr. Nguyen can help teach you to be proactive in your personal care and prevent future sciatica flare–ups by teaching you proper lifting techniques and ergonomic choices.
Sciatica Self-Care
With the approval of a healthcare professional like a chiropractor, consider the following essential self-care suggestions -
- Rest/Care — Be mindful of the ways you move to avoid aggravating the condition.
- Hot/Cold Therapy — Ice can lessen existing inflammation, while heat helps encourage blood flow and nutrients to the areas needing healing. Do NOT apply cold or hot therapy to the skin of the impacted area.
- Gentle Stretching — Maintain range of motion and flexibility by consistent gentle stretching.
- Gentle Exercise — Research suggests that, despite being somewhat counterintuitive, moderate exercise has the potential to reduce pain and enhance core strength.
Contact a leading chiropractor in Hopkinton, MA, for sciatica pain relief.
You don't have to give up your active, outdoor Massachusetts lifestyle because of sciatic pain. Contact Dr. Nguyen or a member of the Cedar Chiropractic & Sports staff, who can be reached by phone at 508-435-8182 or online.