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If you have sciatica, you undoubtedly have difficulty going about your day comfortably. The good news is that this problem can be addressed here at Global Clinic. We offer chiropractic care and pain management treatments to address this issue adequately and get you back on track. Get in touch to learn more today.
How Does a Sciatica Occur?
This nerve branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down along each leg. Typically, this pain affects only one side of the body.
This problem can happen when the sciatic nerve is pinched, usually by a herniated disc or a bone spur. More rarely, the nerve can be compressed by a tumor or damaged by disease. Certain factors can put you at greater risk for developing this issue; these include being overweight, having a sedentary job, and suffering from diabetes.
Sciatica Symptoms
Common signs include sharp, shooting pain that travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg (sometimes reaching the foot), burning or electric shock-like sensations along the sciatic nerve pathway, numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes, muscle weakness in the affected leg making it difficult to stand or walk, and pain that worsens when sitting, sneezing, or coughing. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, early sciatica treatment at Global Pain & Spine Clinic in Niles, IL can prevent the condition from worsening.
What Causes Sciatica?
The most common causes include disc herniation (a bulging or ruptured disc in the lumbar spine pressing on the sciatic nerve), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal that puts pressure on the nerve roots), piriformis syndrome (the piriformis muscle in the buttock irritating the sciatic nerve), degenerative disc disease (breakdown of spinal discs with age causing nerve compression), spondylolisthesis (a vertebra slipping forward onto the one below it), and car accident or work injury trauma causing sudden disc herniation or spinal injury.
Research on sciatica treatment outcomes is available through the National Library of Medicine.
Treatments for Sciatica
Sciatica pain treatments may include, but are not limited to:
- Manual adjustments
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Physician-recommended exercise regimens
- Stretching regimens
- Regenerative treatments
- Pain management with traditional or alternative medicines
What Results Can I Expect?
However, it typically takes six weeks to find complete relief from symptoms. With added help and support, you can dramatically reduce your recovery time. When you arrive for your first consultation, we will create an effective treatment schedule to help you through your sciatica pain.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How long does sciatica treatment take?
Most patients with acute sciatica notice significant improvement within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent treatment. Chronic sciatica caused by disc herniation or spinal stenosis may require 3 to 6 months of treatment including injections and physical therapy. Your clinician will give you a realistic timeline at your first visit at our Niles clinic.
2. Can sciatica be treated without surgery?
Yes - the vast majority of sciatica cases resolve with non-surgical treatment. At Global Pain & Spine Clinic, surgery is always a last resort. Chiropractic care, physical therapy, epidural injections, and acupuncture are effective for most patients with sciatica.
3. What is the difference between sciatica and back pain?
Regular back pain is localized to the back and does not travel down the leg. Sciatica specifically involves pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the lower back along the sciatic nerve pathway into the buttock, leg, and sometimes the foot. This distinction is important for choosing the right sciatica treatment approach.
4. Should I rest or stay active with sciatica?
Gentle movement is generally better than complete bed rest for sciatica. Prolonged rest can worsen symptoms by weakening the muscles supporting the spine. Your physical therapist will guide you on safe activity levels and exercises specifically designed for sciatic nerve recovery.
5. Does insurance cover sciatica treatment at Global Pain & Spine Clinic?
Most major insurance plans cover chiropractic care, physical therapy, and pain management for sciatica. Call our Niles office at (847) 299-7000 to verify your coverage before your first appointment.