Sciatica is a condition that is often misdiagnosed and attributed to any intense lower back pain. Any pain in the lower back that limits your movement or stops you from enjoying life requires attention, but not all lower back pain is sciatic pain. This type of pain is unique and while it can be debilitating, it can be helped by a Grand Rapids chiropractor.

Sciatica Basics

Your sciatic nerve runs from your lower back, downward through your buttocks, and into the back of each leg. It is the longest nerve in your body and the widest, controlling the muscles in your lower legs. It also provides sensation to your legs and soles of your feet. When someone suffers from sciatica it means they feel persistent pain along their sciatic nerve.

Besides sharp pain, sciatica sufferers may experience dull aches, tingling, numbness, or even a burning sensation. The pain and other feelings are typically felt on just one side of the body. People between 30 and 50 are most likely to suffer from sciatica, and the symptoms are usually attributed to basic wear and tear rather than a specific injury. Sciatic pain often gets worse after prolonged sitting, physical activity, sneezing, coughing, or other sudden movements.

Chiropractic Gets to the Cause

People suffering from intense sciatic pain will often try just about anything to make it go away, but the problem with many conventional treatments is that they simply mask the symptoms with pain medication or muscle relaxants. A chiropractor will work to find the cause of your pain, and if it is determined to be sciatica, treatment will begin to relieve some of the pressure on the nerve.

Many patients prefer chiropractic treatment because it is completely non-invasive and drug-free. People tend to be wary of more invasive treatments where their spine is concerned. And most people figure out quickly that taking pain medications is only covering up a symptom, and not really getting to the heart of the issue.

Preventative Tips

Of course, you can always help yourself when it comes to lower back pain. Sciatica can’t always be prevented, but if you work to maintain a healthy weight, watch your posture, avoid prolonged periods of sitting, use proper lifting technique, and exercise regularly you’ll be giving yourself a good head start. These tips, combined with treatment from our chiropractic team at Balanced Health Chiropractic Center - Grand Rapids will help make your sciatic pain a thing of the past.