Sciatica Treatment in O'Fallon, MO

Treatment of sciatica involves chiropractic adjustments, trigger point therapy, spinal decompression, and strengthening exercises. Adjustments reduce inflammation, restore mobility to the joints and take pressure off of the sciatic nerve. Trigger point therapy reduces muscle spasm to reduce tension, decompression allows for the nerve to move freely, and strengthening exercises build resilience to protect the sciatic nerve.

Sciatica can come from major traumas to the lower back, and repetitive minor traumas to the joints of the low back, and weakness coupled with spasm to the muscles overlapping the sciatic nerve.

Major Trauma: The most common major trauma to cause sciatica are disc bulges or herniations. Many disc injuries are due to lifting with a bend and a twist. As a disc herniates, it produces inflammation and pressure against the sciatic nerve.

Minor Trauma: Repetitive injuries to the joints of the low back cause inflammation and restricted mobility. The loss of mobility crowds the sciatic nerve and causes pain.

Weak Pelvic Muscles: Muscles in the pelvis, mainly piriformis muscle, pass directly over the sciatic nerve. Weakness of this muscle causes spasm, tightness, and inflammation. Symptoms of sciatica can follow shortly after.

Common symptoms of sciatic pain frequently include sharp, shooting pain and discomfort from the lower back down one leg. The pain many stop at the knee or go down to the toes. Many patients report feeling an electric shock, numbness, tingling, even weakness into the leg or foot.

Sciatica usually effects only one side of the body. You may notice it while going up the stairs, prolonged sitting, standing, or even coughing.

Sitting: Sitting for long periods compresses the sciatic nerve. Common places that involve sitting include driving, working at a desk, and going out to eat.

Dressing: Bending down to put socks on, tying shoes, or putting pants on can be difficult with sciatica pain.

Sleeping: Trying to lay down and rest can exacerbate sciatica symptoms. Common sleeping positions that intensify sciatica are laying on your back or on your side.

Goals for sciatica relief include reducing inflammation and muscle spasm, improving mobility, and strengthening the low back and pelvic muscles.

Inflammation and muscle spasm: Reducing inflammation and muscle spasm allow for sciatica relief and give the nerve space to breath. This will allow you to sleep comfortably and sit for longer periods.

Improving Mobility: Regaining mobility to the joints of the low back allow the sciatic nerve to move freely and avoid compression. This will make dressing yourself much easier.

Strengthen and stretch pelvic muscles: Improved muscle strength will prevent the piriformis muscle from spasm and will support the joints of the lower back. This will help prevent sciatica from returning.

If your sciatica goes untreated for a prolonged period of time, there is a chance that your body will heal the wrong way. Improper healing can make some of the sciatica symptoms permanent to some degree.

These permanent symptoms may include variating leg pain, weakness, or numbness and tingling. If weakness of the leg progresses, surgery may be required. Chiropractic care can prevent surgery in many cases.