What Our Calhoun Chiropractor Wants You to Know About Sciatica

At McCracken Chiropractic in Calhoun, GA, our chiropractor has helped hundreds of people achieve natural long-lasting healing from sciatica. Understanding this condition can help you recognize it more quickly in yourself or a loved one so you can seek out earlier treatment. 

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a type of nerve compression syndrome affecting one (and rarely both) of your sciatic nerves. The sciatic nerve (one on the right, one on the left) leaves the spinal cord in your lower back area and splits off to innervate your leg. If compressed by a misaligned or narrowed joint, herniated or bulging disc, or bony cyst, then a variety of uncomfortable symptoms may develop.

Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica can happen to just about anyone, but it's more common when certain risk factors are present. These include:

• Advancing age
• Obesity 
• Sedentary lifestyle
• A physically demanding job, or frequent activities involving repetitive bending, lifting, or twisting
• Auto accidents, slips and falls, or other types of personal injury

Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

If you have sciatica, you probably notice significant amounts of discomfort and pain in your buttocks and leg. This pain may feel shooting, stabbing, burning, or searing, and it may move up and down your leg or fluctuate in intensity depending on your activity or position. Additional symptoms of sciatica may include:

• Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the leg
• Stiffness and pain in the lower back

How a Chiropractor in Calhoun GA Manages Sciatic Nerve Pain

Sciatica can be diagnosed via imaging studies, physical examination tests, and medical/family history assessment. Once our Calhoun chiropractor diagnoses your condition, he can them implement an individualized plan of care that will address not only your symptoms but your unique goals and needs, as well. Treatment services shown to improve sciatic nerve pain include:

• Chiropractic adjustments, including Arthrostim and Gonstead technique to revitalize and "reset"  nervous system function, alleviate pain, and break up compensatory adhesions or muscle spasms
• Cold laser therapy, to non-invasively stimulate cellular healing and reduced nerve inflammation using non-thermal light
• Corrective exercises and postural re-training, to improve your core stabilization, body awareness, motor control, and body mechanics (which will help you stop putting yourself in the positions that contributed to sciatica in the first place!)

Is Your Sciatic Nerve Pain Knocking You Off Your Feet?

Contact the office of Dr. Chris McCracken at 706-624-0200 to schedule an appointment and begin your natural journey toward sciatic nerve pain relief ASAP.