Understanding Sciatica: Causes and Effective Treatments
Sciatica is a painful condition that affects the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back down through the hips, buttocks, and legs. Characterized by sharp, shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the nerve’s path, sciatica often disrupts daily life and limits mobility. Dr. Andrew Welsch at Fair Oaks Chiropractic in Boerne, TX, is here to explain what causes this painful condition and how chiropractic care can treat it.
Causes of Sciatica
One of the most common causes of sciatica is a slipped disc or bulging disc in the spine. These occur when the soft, gel-like center of a spinal disc pushes through its outer layer, compressing nearby nerves. This pressure can lead to radicular pain, a type of pinched nerve pain that radiates along the path of the compressed nerve root, causing discomfort in the lower back, buttocks, and legs.
Other causes include spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), piriformis syndrome (tightness in the piriformis muscle near the sciatic nerve), or degenerative disc disease. Poor posture, prolonged sitting, and improper lifting techniques can exacerbate these issues.
How Chiropractic Care Can Help
Chiropractic care is a highly effective, drug-free solution for managing sciatica. Dr. Welsch focuses on addressing the root cause of your pain, rather than masking symptoms with medication.
- Spinal Adjustments – Misaligned vertebrae or slipped discs can compress the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic adjustments realign the spine, relieving pressure on the nerve and promoting proper function.
- Stretching and Strengthening Exercises – Targeted stretches, such as hamstring or piriformis stretches, can release tension in muscles around the sciatic nerve, reducing pain and improving flexibility. Strengthening exercises support the lower back, reducing the risk of further injury.
- Nerve Flossing – Nerve flossing, a technique used to gently mobilize the sciatic nerve, helps reduce inflammation and irritation. It promotes better nerve mobility and circulation, easing symptoms over time.
- Posture Correction – Poor posture often contributes to spinal misalignment and sciatic pain. Dr. Welsch will provide ergonomic advice and exercises to improve posture, whether you’re at a desk or lifting heavy objects, preventing further strain on the sciatic nerve.
Call to Experience Holistic Healthcare for Your Sciatica Pain
Chiropractic care not only alleviates sciatica symptoms but also focuses on long-term prevention by promoting spinal health, muscle balance, and nerve function. When combined with other modalities, it offers a comprehensive, non-invasive path to recovery, helping patients regain mobility and live pain-free. If you are ready to get to the root cause of your pain to eliminate sciatica for good, contact Fair Oaks Chiropractic. Dr. Welsch will perform a full examination and design a treatment plan that works for you.
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Sciatica
