When should I be worried about sciatica?

We have all heard of sciatica pain, and we definitely know how debilitating this condition can be. Even though certain cases of sciatica are always manageable, a sudden twist of symptoms can cause concern.

But worry less, as here at Live Aligned Chiropractic; we can help you arrest these symptoms before they escalate. Visit our chiropractic office in Onalaksa, WI, today to schedule a consultation session.

In the meantime, we unfold the mystery of when you should be concerned with your sciatica symptoms. So let’s roll.

Symptoms of sciatica that may warrant medical attention

Ideally, mild cases of sciatica pain are always manageable. Precisely they should be completely alleviated via self-care in a few weeks. However, if the symptoms persist, you have all the reasons to be concerned. Below are some of the lethal symptoms you should never ignore

• Severe pain that does not improve with self-care measures
• Severe numbness or weakness in the legs or feet
• Loss of bladder or bowel control, which is a medical emergency
• Pain that wakes you up at night
• Progressive worsening of symptoms

All these symptoms warrant thorough evaluation and treatment before the condition escalates.

Underlying causes of sciatica that may be concerning

There are a variety of underlying factors that can flare up sciatica. Foremost, you could be having a structural issue like herniated discs or spinal stenosis. This disc burst will definitely affect your sciatic nerve, compressing it, and triggering inflammation.

Consequently, spinal cord compression could also trigger severe sciatica pain. A pinch on the cauda equina can trigger debilitating pain radiating from the lower back to the legs.

Similarly, it could be due to trauma. Maybe you suffered an internal injury recently, but a poor diagnosis failed to unmask it. Sciatica pain could be a symptom of this condition, especially if it affects your thigh, buttocks, and legs.

Diagnosis and treatment options for sciatica

The treatment of sciatica often starts with a diagnosis. Your chiropractor will evaluate your condition by noting down your symptoms. They can start by evaluating the body part where you are experiencing pain. At times, they will ask for a review of your medical history. As such, they can rule out any underlying conditions contributing to the unbearable sciatica pain.

Afterward, they will proceed and use other advanced diagnostic tools to determine the severity of your pain. In most cases, the chiropractor may order imaging tests, X-rays, or MRI scans on the affected part. As such, they can glimpse the affected nerves and determine the best cause of action.

After establishing the cause of your sciatica pain, the chiropractor will develop a customized sciatica treatment plan tailored to address the root cause, not just symptoms. Depending on the severity of the pain, the chiropractor can often resort to advanced chiropractic treatment techniques like spinal manipulation or manual manipulation.

Similarly, these chiropractic sciatica nerve treatment techniques can often be combined with other practices like ice cold therapy, all in a bid to alleviate inflammation. Some specific exercises can also be recommended to accelerate your recovery process.

On the contrary, surgery will definitely be your only viable option if your sciatica condition is worse beyond chiropractic intervention.

Alleviate Your Sciatica Pain at Live Aligned Chiropractic

Sciatica pain shouldn’t be your daily dosage in this era when there are various treatment options. We can help you completely alleviate this pain at Live Aligned Chiropractic in Onalaska, WI. Our chiropractor uses advanced chiropractic techniques to alleviate and treat your condition. Feel free to contact us to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor today.

References

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/symptoms-causes/syc-20377435
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/12792-sciatica
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619
https://www.pennmedicine.org/for-patients-and-visitors/patient-information/conditions-treated-a-to-z/sciatica