Localized pain in the lower back, hips, glutes, hamstrings and legs are all very common complaints from chiropractic patients, but when a patient feels pain in all of these areas at the same time, it’s referred to as sciatica. 

This type of pain begins at the lumbar spine, spreading downward through the buttock and back of the thigh and sometimes even down as low as the calf. Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve has been compressed or pinched. 

Typically, patients will only feel sciatic pain on one side of the body and can be managed on its own without treatment. Symptoms vary from very mild and manageable aches and pains, to much more severe sharp pains and burning sensations, in which case surgery may be required to treat the condition more deeply and alleviate the discomfort. 

Sciatic pain can be aggravated by sitting in certain positions for too long, coughing or sneezing, or any type of movement that affects that part of the body. Sometimes those suffering from sciatica also experience muscle fatigue, numbness or tingling sensations in the leg or foot. For some, the pain might come and go, and only last for a few seconds, while others experience prolonged pain that can severely disrupt their day.

Thankfully, there are a lot of ways to help alleviate sciatic pain, starting with chiropractic care. Many patients come to see us at Dr. Gena Chiropractic, your favorite family chiropractor in Plantation, for relief from their sciatic pain. 

Chiropractic adjustments are the ideal treatment for treating any kind of issues happening in the spine, especially in the lower back/lumbar spine area. To treat sciatic pain, chiropractors will perform spinal adjustments to help restore proper movement in the spine to improve function and mobility, and decrease the inflammation and uncomfortable feelings that come with sciatica.

In addition to getting regular chiropractic care, Dr. Gena recommends using the following at-home remedies to address your sciatic pain.

• Stretching: Stretching can bring immediate relief to the affected areas, but be careful not to overstretch by twisting too far or making jerking movements that could just put you right back where you started. The team at Dr. Gena Chiropractic can recommend certain techniques and even show you the proper movements to ensure that you are stretching at home safely and effectively. The most important muscle to focus on when stretching for sciatic pain is typically the piriformis muscle, which is one of the deep gluteus muscles and part of the lateral rotators of the hip.

• Foam Rolling: Just like with stretching, foam rolling has the ability to bring relief to the areas that feel tight. This technique involves using a device (usually made out of foam) and rolling it up and down, back and forth, with moderate pressure on specific muscle groups. Depending on how much strength you put into the rolling, it can sometimes feel a little uncomfortable, but sometimes the pain is worth it in the end. You can check out this video tutorial we filmed on foam rolling for sciatica here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSJokpAHqaM&t=64s 

• Exercise. Glute exercises are helpful for sciatic pain, and keeping these muscles strong can also be preventative of sciatica. If these muscles in the buttocks are too tight, they could press on the sciatic nerve and cause pain. Core strengthening exercises are also important.

Dr. Gena also suggests coupling your chiropractic care with massage or soft tissue work, and make sure to avoid prolonged sitting. Those who lead more sedentary lifestyles or spend too much time sitting are more at risk to develop sciatic. Stay active, and if you do have a job or obligations that require sitting for long periods of time, take a break every 30 minutes to stand up and walk around, even for just a few minutes. 

If sciatic pain has become a burden on your life, let us help change that. Pain should not be felt regularly! Call Dr. Gena Chiropractic today at 954-417-5815 and schedule an appointment. Remember, your health is in your hands; our hands are there to help.