Sharp pain in the buttock. Burning down the back of the thigh. Tingling into the calf or foot. These symptoms are often labelled simply as sciatica, but sciatica is really a description of symptoms—not one specific diagnosis.
If you are looking for sciatica treatment in Dartmouth, understanding what is producing the nerve irritation is an important first step.
What Is Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Sciatica typically refers to pain related to irritation of nerve tissue arising from the lower back and travelling into the leg. Symptoms may be associated with a lumbar disc problem, narrowing around a nerve root or other changes affecting the lower back.
But not every pain running down the leg is true sciatica. Hip problems, hamstring injuries, deep gluteal irritation and other conditions can sometimes produce similar symptoms.
That is why an assessment should involve more than finding the painful spot.
Your chiropractor may examine:
- Lower-back movement
- Strength and reflexes
- Sensation in the leg
- Nerve sensitivity
- Hip mobility
- Walking and movement patterns
- Positions that make symptoms better or worse
Clinical guidelines for low-back-related leg pain emphasize education, exercise and appropriately selected manual therapy as parts of conservative management.
A Sensitive Nerve Is Not Necessarily a Damaged Nerve
This can be reassuring to know.
When nerve tissue becomes irritated, it may become more sensitive to movement, pressure or stretch. That does not necessarily mean the nerve is being continuously damaged every time symptoms are felt.
The answer is also not always aggressive stretching. In some cases, repeatedly stretching an already sensitive nerve can make symptoms worse.
Instead, carefully selected nerve mobility exercises, changes in position and gradually increasing movement may be more useful.
Should You Rest with Sciatica?
Usually, complete rest is not the long-term solution. Staying active within tolerable limits and gradually rebuilding activity are common components of contemporary low back and sciatica management.
Chiropractic treatment may include:
- Spinal or hip mobilization
- Manipulation when appropriate
- Soft-tissue treatment
- Nerve mobility exercises
- Acupuncture with or without electrical stimulation
- Trunk and hip strengthening
- Advice about sitting, lifting and sleeping
- A gradual return to walking, exercise or work
A good treatment plan should also teach you what you can do between appointments.
When Is Sciatica Urgent?
Seek urgent medical assessment (emergency room) for new bladder or bowel changes, numbness in the saddle region, rapidly progressing leg weakness or other major neurological changes.
Otherwise, an assessment can help determine why your leg symptoms are occurring and whether conservative care is appropriate.
Spring Physiotherapy provides chiropractic care in Dartmouth at 133 Baker Drive, with physiotherapy and massage therapy available within the same clinic.
Searching for a chiropractor for sciatica in Dartmouth? Book an assessment at Spring Physiotherapy on Baker Drive.
