Sciatica refers to pain that follows along the Sciatic nerve which runs from the buttocks down each leg. Fun fact: it’s the longest and thickest nerve in the body! Oftentimes, sciatica is caused by a herniated disc or bone spur that puts pressure on the nerve roots. It can feel different for different people, sometimes presenting as a burning or achy pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both legs.
How can you prevent sciatica? Exercising regularly to keep your back and core strong is a great way to keep it in check. Engaging your core and maintaining good posture can help decrease the pressure put on your discs and therefore the nerve roots. On top of that, make sure you move your body well! When lifting, use your legs instead of your back, and don’t lift and twist things at the same time—especially all you Buffalo snow shovelers!
Sciatica can be treated in a variety of ways. Using an ice pack wrapped in a towel can help reduce the swelling and irritation of the nerve and lessen any symptoms you may be experiencing. Over-the-counter NSAIDs (like ibuprofen or aspirin) can also help to reduce inflammation. Most importantly, see your chiropractor!
Our chiropractors treat sciatica through manipulation, flexion & distraction, our traction table, e-stimulation such as tens units, as well as our decompression chair. Each of these techniques aims to relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerve and alleviate symptoms. Back-On-Trac is the name of our decompression chair and it’s a patient favorite. After you sit down and strap in, the machine leans you back and the back piece of the chair shifts slightly away from the base of the chair, giving you an amazing stretch while relieving the pressure in your spine—a great tool for those with sciatica. If you’re in the Buffalo area and you experience sciatic pain, come see our chiropractors!
