What Causes Sciatica Pain?
Sciatica pain often radiates down one or both sides of your buttocks and into your legs. As the longest nerve in the body, when the sciatic nerve is pinched, it can cause excruciating pain. Debilitating sciatica pain can happen if you have a herniated disc or if your piriformis muscle that runs from the lower spine to the top of the thigh is tight or inflamed, and presses down on the sciatic nerve that runs under it. No matter the cause of your sciatica, visit the medical professionals at the Aligned Medical Group for assistance in learning about the benefits of sciatica treatment options.
What Can You Do At Home For Effective Sciatica Treatment?
There are some excellent sciatica treatments that most people can do in their own homes to relieve sciatica pain. When a flare up occurs, ice your lower back for 15-20 minutes, or until numb, three times a day. This is an effective treatment for reducing inflammation. Even though heat often feels good, avoid heat since it may increase inflammation. As you gain more movement in your muscles without intense pain, it’s important to add stretching into your daily regime. The following stretches can help reduce your pain even during a flare up episode:
- Sitting knee to opposite shoulder stretch
- Single or double knees to chest stretch
- Child’s Pose
It’s important not to perform any stretch or exercise that increases symptoms.
Aligned Medical Group’s holistic approach to sciatica treatment
Our holistic approach to sciatica treatment focuses on your body as a whole, by identifying and addressing the cause of your pain instead of treating just the inflamed sciatic nerve. As part of your treatment plan, you’ll work with one of Aligned Medical Group’s medical professionals to target the source of your discomfort and bring long term relief to your lower back, buttocks, and legs.
- Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic adjustments are a well-known, noninvasive sciatica treatment that can bring you swift relief. Spinal manipulations can alleviate muscle spasms and pressure on your sciatic nerve when you have a herniated disc or misaligned vertebra. In addition to pain relief, your sciatic nerve will be able to send and receive signals properly again.
- Massage Therapy
Massage therapy is also an effective sciatica treatment method. Creating relaxation deep in your muscles, your body will release your body’s natural painkillers, endorphins. While both a therapeutic massage and a massage you get at the spa will release tension in your muscles, a licensed massage therapist with knowledge of your musculoskeletal system can direct the appropriate amount of pressure to ensure your treatments are successful.
- Spinal Decompression Therapy
When the discs in your spine become weak and bulge out, or herniate, it can put pressure on your sciatic nerve. Spinal decompression therapy works to stretch and relax the muscles, ligaments, discs, and joints of the lower spine and to relieve the pressure that may be causing sciatica pain. This is done by healing your spinal discs.
- Home Stretching and Exercise Programs
In addition to your work with certified health care professionals, it is important to complement your appointments with an at home stretching and exercise regime. As part of your sciatica treatment, there are specific stretches that help to relieve pressure and pain caused by an inflamed sciatic nerve or tight muscles. As you find relief, we help by creating custom strengthening routines to protect your sciatic nerve.
- Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections are another method of sciatica treatment that is considered when less invasive methods have proven unsuccessful. Using this method, the medical practitioners at Aligned Medical Group inject targeted holistic and prescription medications to reduce muscle tightness that contributes to pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Why Choose Aligned Medical Group For Sciatica Treatment
The Aligned Medical Group can help you combat your stubborn sciatica pain with a team of experienced healthcare professionals. Our chiropractors, Integrated Medical Doctor, and massage therapists are ready to meet with you to find the root cause of your pain and develop a plan for your path to relief. Call (610) 644-3166 to schedule a free consultation with our medical professionals or contact us today!