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Sciatica Specialist

Adam Newton, D.C. -  - Board Certified Chiropractor

HealthSolutions of Carmel Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab

Adam Newton, D.C.

Board Certified Chiropractor located in Carmel, IN

Your sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in your body. Rooted in your lumbar spine, it branches off into each side of your hip and extends down each leg, allowing you to feel and control your lower body. If sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, limits your mobility, Adam Newton, DC, and the experienced team at HealthSolutions of Carmel Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab can help you get back on your feet. Call the Carmel, Indiana, office or book an appointment online today.

Sciatica Q & A

What triggers sciatica?

Most cases of sciatica begin when some type of injury, condition, or disorder compresses or irritates the nerve where it’s connected to your spine. 

Sciatica usually begins as general lower back pain or discomfort. Left untreated, it may become more persistent or start radiating down one side of your body. Common causes of sciatica are:

Lumbar disc problems

When a disc in your lower lumbar spine slips out of place or ruptures, it can put intense pressure on your sciatic nerve root.

Lumbar stenosis

This potentially painful condition occurs when age-related changes cause the spinal canal in your lower back to become narrower, compressing your sciatic nerve. 

Spinal misalignment

Whether it’s the result of an injury or poor posture, spinal misalignment in your lower back can irritate or impinge on the sciatic nerve root.

Piriformis syndrome

Your piriformis muscle, which sits directly over your sciatic nerve, can put pressure on the nerve’s root if it becomes too tight or spasms. 

Traumatic injury

Any injury that affects your sciatic nerve, such as a broken pelvis, can trigger sciatica.

What does sciatica feel like? 

Pain that starts in your lower back and extends down your buttocks and into the back of your thigh is the most common sign of sciatica. In more severe cases, the pain may radiate through your calf and into your foot. It usually affects just one side of your body. 

Sciatica may produce a constant burning sensation or a sharp, electric-like jolt. While it’s possible to feel the effects of sciatica at an isolated point along the nerve’s path, most people experience radiating pain that follows an uninterrupted path. 

You may notice that your sciatica gets worse after long periods of sitting or standing. Minor movements like reaching or sneezing may also intensify your pain.    

Why is it important to treat sciatica?

Although sciatica usually begins gradually, it often intensifies over time. Without proper care, it may become a long-term problem or even a permanent one. 

Luckily, Dr. Newton, DC, can successfully resolve most cases of sciatica by taking a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach that combines targeted chiropractic care with therapeutic massage and specific stretching exercises.   

How is sciatica treated?

Structural chiropractic care uses gentle, hands-on adjustments to realign your spine and take the pressure off the nerve itself, while spinal decompression therapy creates more space for discs that may impinge on the nerve root.

Once Dr. Newton’s initial treatment plan alleviates your pain, making certain lifestyle changes can help reduce your risk of recurrence. These may include becoming more active, losing excess body weight, or finding ways to alleviate chronic stress.

If you’re ready to put an end to sciatic nerve pain, call HealthSolutions of Carmel Chiropractic and Spinal Rehab or schedule an appointment online today.