What is Sciatic Pain?

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In our experience at Encompass Chiropractic Centers, most people know chiropractors help with back pain, but not everyone knows we can help alleviate other types of pain as well. All our team members have extensive experience in providing relief for a variety of types of pain, including pain caused by injuries and chronic conditions, no matter where it occurs. In this article, we will focus specifically on sciatic pain, discussing what it is and how our services can help.

What is Sciatic Pain?

Sciatic pain occurs in the sciatic nerve, which stretches from the lower back through the pelvis, and then splits to run down each leg. When this nerve becomes compressed, pinched, inflamed, or irritated, it sends signals to the brain, causing you to feel pain in that area. If you have frequent, unexplained pain in your lower back, pelvis, legs, or feet, then we encourage you to reach out to our chiropractors to get assessed for this condition.

Sometimes, compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve causes symptoms in addition or instead of pain. You might feel a tingling sensation, or certain areas along the nerve may become numb. In some cases, problems with the sciatic nerve result in muscle weakness, or even problems with the organs in this area. For example, you might start to experience bladder or bowel problems.

Since the symptoms and causes of sciatica are so diverse, your care team may recommend a variety of treatment options. In many cases, chiropractic care and physical therapy are enough to provide relief from sciatic pain, but if these methods are insufficient, then a doctor may prescribe pain medication. Using home care methods such as heat, cold packs, exercise, and stretching has also proven effective for many patients.