Many people will experience lower back pain across their lifetimes, and a specific type of this lower back pain is called sciatica. Common causes of sciatica range from poor posture to sitting or standing for long periods of time to spinal injuries or issues like a herniated disc. When you experience sciatica, you might be wondering what type of doctor you should see to help ease this pain. A local Snellville chiropractor or spine specialist can help you manage your sciatica and treat its root cause so you can experience lasting relief.
Understanding Your Sciatica
Sciatica is a specific type of lower back pain that can actually affect your hips, buttocks, legs, and feet. That is because this type of pain is caused by pressure or damage to your sciatic nerve that is located near the base of your spine. Inflammation in your lower back can put pressure on the sciatic nerve and cause it to send pain signals through your hips and buttocks and down through your legs and to your feet. It is also very common for people who suffer from sciatica to only feel this type of pain down one side of the body, which is another common identifier that you have sciatica. An injury to the spine can also cause sciatica because of a misalignment or something out of place that is compressing the sciatic nerve and causing these symptoms.
The main symptoms of sciatica include lower back pain as well as nerve pain in your lower back and the lower half of your body. Nerve pain can feel like numbness, tingling, and even weakness in your lower back, hips, buttocks, legs, and feet. While some people describe their sciatica symptoms as dull and aching, others have described it as a sharp, stabbing pain that gets worse with certain movements. No matter which type of sciatica symptoms you experience, there are treatments available to help relieve your pain.
Seeking Treatment for Sciatica
It is possible for sciatica to resolve on its own after a few hours or even days, but this is not always the case and it could flare up again if the root cause is not addressed. That is why you should seek treatment for sciatica with your Snellville chiropractor or spine specialist to help address the reason for your sciatica so you don’t have to keep experiencing this pain and discomfort. There are things you can do at home to help lessen your sciatica symptoms, like alternating ice and heat therapies on your lower back, and reducing your activity levels, especially with activities that tend to cause more pain and discomfort. However, these at-home remedies will only temporarily address your sciatica until the root cause is identified and treated. If your sciatica symptoms get worse over time or continue for more than a few days then you should seek treatment for sciatica with a Snellville chiropractor or spine specialist as soon as possible so you can get back to your daily routines without experiencing pain.
Doctors and Spine Specialists for Sciatica
Chiropractors are health professionals who specialize in musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Your Snellville chiropractor can diagnose and treat your sciatica and the root cause so you heal and be pain-free. Chiropractors look for misalignments in the spine that may contribute to your pain. A misalignment of one of your vertebrae or the discs that separate them can lead to sciatica because they may be pressing on the sciatic nerve. A herniated disc, also known as a slipped disc, can occur for a number of reasons, from improper lifting, a painful fall, or a car accident injury. What happens when a herniated disc is left untreated? When this disc slips or bulges out of place it can compress the sciatic nerve. Women who are pregnant may also experience sciatica as their center of gravity shifts and their joints become more flexible.
Neurologists are doctors who specialize in the nervous system and can help address issues related to the sciatic nerve as well. Your neurologist can run certain diagnostic tests that help determine the functioning of your sciatic nerve and test the signals it sends to the rest of your body. Neurologists and orthopedic doctors may also be recommended when a more aggressive approach is needed to treat your sciatica, like instances where surgery may be recommended.
Don’t let your sciatica ruin your day anymore! Visit AICA Orthopedics in Snellville and our team of chiropractors and spine specialists can identify the root cause of your pain and create an individualized treatment plan for you so you can get back to the activities you enjoy without any of the pain.