Sciatica

Why do I have sciatica?

If you have sciatica and debilitating pain down your leg, it’s a sign that you have a pinched nerve in your lower back. This nerve may be compressed either on the inside or the outside of your spinal canal as the nerve branch extends into your leg. If sciatica affects you, it could be caused by:

• Herniated, bulged, or slipped disc
• Spinal stenosis
• Bone spurs
• Diabetes 
• Obesity 
• Trauma 

While anyone can certainly develop sciatica, it’s most common among older adults because your spine changes and bones become fragile as you age. These issues can put pressure on nerves.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica is known for causing shooting pain that begins in your lower back and runs through your buttock. This pain radiates down the back of one of your legs and can extend all the way down into your heel. Sciatica pain can feel:

• Burning
• Aching
• Sharp
• Dull
• Electrical 

While sciatica most commonly affects just one side of your body, it’s certainly possible to have it on both sides. But no matter how minor or how infrequent your symptoms may seem, it’s important to come into Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness for an evaluation. Without proper treatment, nerve damage can become permanent. 

How is sciatica treated?

Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness provides on-site electrodiagnostic testing, so your doctor can diagnose you properly and counsel you on possible treatment solutions. Your sciatica treatment plan may involve:

• Acupuncture
• Physical therapy
• Facet injections
• Nerve blocks
• Radiofrequency ablation 
• Epidural steroid injections  
• Osteopathic manipulation therapy (OMT) 

Once your provider gets your sciatica flare-up under control, they help you learn lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of future problems. For example, it’s helpful to exercise regularly to keep your midsection strong, maintain proper posture while sitting, and avoid sitting for extended periods. 

Rest assured, with the help of Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness, you can expect comprehensive care and effective relief solutions from sciatica pain to restore your quality of life. 

Before sciatica starts affecting your daily routine, contact Jersey Integrative Health and Wellness to get started on treatment. You can conveniently schedule either online or over the phone.