At Active Chiropractic, many people come to us after struggling for months or even years with sciatic nerve pain. As a trusted chiropractor in Saco, ME, Dr. Reiche encourages people not to wait before seeking out help—chiropractic care is shown to improve sciatica symptoms and can improve your overall health and wellbeing! Read on to learn more about this condition.
Sciatica: Causes and Risk Factors
Sciatica is a syndrome that develops when one or both of the sciatic nerves become compressed near where they exit the spinal cord in the lower spine.
Usually, sciatic nerve compression happens because a nearby spinal disc bulges or herniates (tears and leaks) against the nerve root, causing irritation and inflammation. Sciatic nerve compression can also happen if the bony space around the joint becomes smaller due to degenerative changes like stenosis or spondylosis.
Anyone can develop sciatica, but it's more common in people who have certain sciatica risk factors, including:
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Older age
- Physically demanding occupation (e.g., nurse, police officer, construction worker)
- A traumatic accident such as a fall, sports injury, or car crash
- Obesity
Common Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
Did you know the right and left sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in your body? These nerves transmit motor information from the brain to the legs and transmit sensory information from the legs to the brain. This is why sciatic nerve root compression can lead to a variety of signs and symptoms, including:
- Pain, numbness, and tingling radiating down the leg, and sometimes including the foot
- Weakness in the leg (e.g., drop foot or the inability to lift the toes)
- Muscle spasms and pain in the lower back
- Pain that gets worse depending on factors like time of day, position, and even stress level
- Reduced ability to perform typical daily tasks or work-related tasks
Treatment for Sciatica With our Saco Chiropractor
Sciatica can be incredibly painful and frustrating, but our Saco chiropractor team helps people find lasting relief from this condition using holistic and non-invasive techniques, including:
- Chiropractic adjustments: Decrease pain signaling in the nervous system and enhance spinal alignment
- Spinal decompression: a revolutionary and non-invasive technique to decompress sciatic nerve roots and restore spinal disc health and alignment
- Corrective exercises and stretches: customized movements that can improve spinal stability and prevent recurring issues
Do You Have Sciatic Nerve Pain?
If you have sciatic nerve pain, contact Active Chiropractic today at (207) 571-8028 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Reiche and learn about our sciatica treatment options. You deserve to feel healthy and live the active life you want—let us help you get there!
