Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs providing feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. The term sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back. The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Piriformis syndrome is another common cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that lies directly over the sciatic nerve. If this muscle becomes tight or if you have a spasm in this muscle, it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Occasionally, sciatic pain in men is caused by sitting on a wallet.

How do I know if I have sciatica?

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It's likely to be worse when you sit, cough or sneeze.

How is Sciatica Treated?

Often, sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, massage of the piriformis muscle and chiropractic care. Occasionally, in cases where a disc herniation is pressing upon the nerve and conservative treatment is unsuccessful, spinal surgery may be necessary.  In these cases, non-surgical spinal decompression therapy may be an alternative to surgical intervention.  Your chiropractor will make a referral for an MRI to further investigate the severity of your condition.  Once the MRI results are reviewed, a recomendation of spinal decompression therapy or a referral to a neurosurgeon or an orthopedic specialist will be provided.

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Visit www.spinemeddecompression.com for more information regarding spinal decompression therapy at Cascades Chiropractic.

Cascades Chiropractic proudly serves the communities of Covington, Maple Valley, Kent, Auburn, Black Diamond, Fairwood, Renton and Federal Way by providing advanced spinal care including Spinal Decompression Therapy and high-tech rehabilition with the SpineForce machine in addition to chiropractic and massage services. 

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Thursday

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Monday
8:45am 6:00pm
Tuesday
2:00pm 6:00pm
Wednesday
8:45am 6:00pm
Thursday
2:00pm 6:00pm
Friday
8:45am 6:00pm
Saturday
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