Sciatica FAQ

Our chiropractor at Makefield Chiropractic Center sees patients Newtown, PA, and the surrounding areas. Regardless of where they come from, sciatica pain is one of the most common complaints from our patients between the ages of 30 and 50. What is sciatica and how can we help with the pain? Let's find out.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is a long nerve that runs from the lower back, near the tailbone, down through the buttocks and both legs, and into your feet. If the nerve is irritated at any point, it can cause pain, tingling, and numbness. Most people with sciatica pain say it feels like a muscle cramp that won't stop. The pain normally only affects one leg at a time but it can affect both. The pain may be brief or it can last for several days and it is likely to return unless it is treated.

What Causes Sciatica?

There is no one cause of sciatica pain. Most of the time, it is caused by a herniated disk that is pressing against the nerve. Other things that can cause this pain include spinal stenosis, which is a normal part of the aging process, or pressure from the piriformis muscle, which is a muscle that is located within the buttocks and can spasm. This spasming can put pressure on the sciatic nerve that is right next to the muscle or cause some type of inflammation to the joints surrounding the nerve. A thorough physical exam, along with pictures of the area will help the chiropractor determine the cause of the pain.

What are the Treatment Options?

Treatment for this condition varies, depending on what is causing the pain. The first step is to determine what is causing the pressure on the nerve. Once we have determined the cause the treatment can be mild stretching, laser therapy, spinal decompression or gentle chiropractic manipulation.  In extreme cases, surgery may be suggested, but that is always considered a last resort that is undertaken only after everything else has been proven ineffective.  The vast majority of people that we treat experience  excellent results without the use drugs or surgey.

Schedule an Appointment with Our Chiropractor for Sciatica Treatment in Newtown, PA

Call Makefield Chiropractic Center today at (215) 860-9660 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.