For patients, the discomfort is chronic and constant. It starts as a bad leg cramp, but can quickly turn into shooting pains that making sitting down or standing up difficult or impossible. If you’ve experienced this before but weren’t sure what it was, this type of pain is called sciatica. The chiropractors at West Chiropractic Clinic in Soldotna, AK, see this condition in many patients and are here to explain what causes it and how to find relief.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated. It’s the largest nerve in the body and sends nerve endings down to the lower leg. Patients will notice pain or tingling that starts in the lower back and travels down to the foot. Sitting, sneezing, or coughing can make the pain worse.

What Causes Sciatica?

A variety of factors can cause this condition, including a pinched nerve, herniated disc, or a narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis. Luckily, there are a few ways to relieve sciatica pain.

Medication

Over-the-counter pills and prescriptions can help reduce pain and alleviate inflammation. Muscle relaxers are also commonly used, but these can cause drowsiness and confusion in some patients. 

Chiropractic Treatment & Physical Therapy

Consider visiting a chiropractor to ask about spinal adjustments and chiropractic treatments to help reduce your pain. Physical therapy can also be a helpful, non-surgical option for some patients. A professional will teach you movements to reduce pressure on the nerve and ease sciatica pain.

Surgery

Often used a last resort, surgery can help ease or eliminate sciatica pain. Doctors will perform a microdiscectomy to remove pieces of a herniated disc, or a laminectomy, in which the bone that covers spinal cord is adjusted or removed to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.

If you’re suffering from sciatica or need a spinal adjustment, contact the professionals at West Chiropractic Clinic. These chiropractors will help relieve the symptoms of sciatica and neck pain, and also offer a variety of other services, including massage therapy and reflexology. Call (907) 262-9171 to make an appointment, or visit their website for more information. You can also find the chiropractors on Facebook.