Four out of every ten people will suffer from sciatica at some time in their lives. For many, sciatica pain will become chronic. At the very least, the pain interferes with their quality of life, interfering with their ability to perform normal, every-day activities at home and at work.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to the compression of the sciatic nerve that originates in the buttock or lower back and extends into the leg. The symptoms vary, with descriptions of the pain ranging from dull to sharp. The pain can be felt only occasionally or be constant. Some experience a loss of feeling in the leg or a group of muscles. Sciatica, however, is not a disease; it is a symptom of an underlying problem. Insomnia frequently accompanies back and leg pain.
Possible Causes of Sciatica
There can be a number of causes for the compression of the sciatic nerve that causes the back and leg pain. These can include: misaligned vertebra, slipped discs, problems related to pregnancy or childbirth, tumors, diabetes or constipation. Some men even suffer sciatica because of sitting on an over-stuffed wallet in their back pocket that presses on the sciatic nerve.
Diagnosis of the Cause is Essential
Since there are so many possible causes for the pain, a thorough examination and diagnosis is absolutely necessary. Diagnostic testing might include: x-ray, CT scan, MRI and/or other types of testing. A treatment plan cannot be developed without the test results and diagnosis.
Chiropractic Care vs. Conventional Medical Treatment of Sciatica
Conventional medical Leg Pain Treatment for sciatica will often include pain medications, muscle relaxants, steroid injections and even antidepressants. If the pain lasts beyond six weeks (as it probably will since the root cause has not yet been addressed), then back surgery may be recommended.
The goal of Chiropractic leg pain treatment in St Augustine area is to help the body to heal itself. This treatment does not involve dangerous back surgery or drugs. Instead, the chiropractor has a number of treatment methods available to promote healing, including spinal adjustments, ultrasound, TENS (trans-cutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) and ice/cold therapy.
One of the services offered by The Village Chiropractic Center of Florida is gentle, natural treatments for Leg Pain Treatment in St Augustine. While chiropractic care cannot cure every case of sciatica, there have been many success stories. Browse their website to learn if chiropractic care could be of benefit to you.
