What is Sciatica and How do I Get Rid of It In Winnipeg?
Are you experiencing pain, numbness or tingling along one side of your body from your lower back down through your hip and the back of your leg? If so, you are not alone many people in Winnipeg are suffering from a condition called sciatica.
Sciatica is caused when the longest nerve in your body, called the sciatic nerve, is pinched, twisted, or irritated. The sciatic nerve starts in your lower spine and runs the entire length of the back of your leg, through your buttock and down to your toes. It can be irritated by a herniated disc, a bone spur or even tight muscles in your buttock.
Several factors contribute to the risk of developing sciatica, poor spinal mechanics such as too much sitting or bending and lifting with poor technique.
This is especially true if you bend in your spine too much.
Poor lifting technique
Jobs that require repetitive bending, lifting or twisting are a common risk for the condition. The three positions that are particularly challenging for your lower back are sustained forward flexion such as bending over while working on a car engine. Loaded forward flexion such as lifting something heavy with poor spinal mechanics. Or repeated forward flexion such as might occur when shoveling. This is called flexion intolerance and can result in injuries to your disc, which in turn can irritate your sciatic nerve. Identifying flexion intolerance is an important factor in making sure that you get on the road to recovery quickly.
Click HERE for some lifting technique advice.
Too much sitting.
Sitting can be just as challenging for your back as a heavy lifting or repetitive job. Sitting is also a flexion based position and would fall into the category of sustained forward flexion,which, as described above, is very hard on your spine and discs. There has been much talk about how detrimental sitting is to our health overall and our spines in particular.
Click HERE for advice on how to pick a chair.
There are several treatment options for helping relieve the pain of sciatica.
Chiropractic care.
Chiropractors understand all things spine-related. Chiropractic treatment for sciatica works to restore proper motion to the spine and reduce the stress to the lower back. Chiropractic treatment helps alleviate the underlying causes of the condition and shows positive results in a short period.
Acupuncture.
can be a safe and effective way of managing the pain of sciatica, particularly if you are looking for a drug-free strategy for limiting pain and swelling.
Strengthening and stabilization exercises.
A consistent exercise program strengthens your muscles and helps the body function effectively. Ask your chiropractor which exercises assist the body with bouncing back from sciatica. There are specific spine sparing exercises which have shown to be particularly effective and helping the pain of sciatica. Remember if any exercise or movement makes your leg pain worse that is a sign that you should modify or discontinue that exercise.
Click HERE for an example of what kinds of exercises are often helpful if you have sciatic pain.
Don't suffer any longer.
Suffering from sciatica can be a frustrating and intrusive experience. Fortunately, the prognosis for most people is excellent, and there are several treatments and management options that can help you get the relief you deserve and desire.
If you are suffering from sciatica and would like to talk to an experienced chiropractor about how to treat the condition, contact us today.
