SUFFERING FROM SCIATICA?

Emergency room doctors in the Metro East say that sciatica is one of the most common conditions they see each year. Many people with sciatica never achieve a long-term solution, because they have not received the correct treatment. This article from The Back Pain Clinic will help you understand the ins and outs of this condition and treatment options.

Many people wonder what sciatica feels like.  Patients often describe the pain of sciatica as a slight discomfort to the most extreme unbearable pain. Sciatic pain can show up in different areas of the leg and the sole, and many times the pain will come and go. Over the years of time, people tend to go through periods of pain that typically intensify as the problem goes unchecked.

What Are the Symptoms of Sciatica?

The symptoms of sciatica include:

• Moderate to severe pain in the lower back, buttock and down your leg.
• Numbness or weakness in your lower back, buttock, leg or feet.
• Pain that worsens with movement; loss of movement.
• “Pins and needles” feeling in your legs, toes or feet.
• Loss of bowel and bladder control (due to cauda equina).

Sciatica In Belleville

The pelvic and lumbar spine are usually the areas where a sciatic issue will start from. This area of the spine is very complicated and it can be difficult to locate the problem. Dr. Fast will be able to work with you to zero in on the source. From there he will need to work with you to improve the position of the spine and discs.

Some patients say that they were hit with extreme pain when they did something as simple as bending over to pick up a piece of paper. They don’t understand how their condition could have developed over years of time, with the last straw being something so innocuous. However, most spinal problems don’t happen overnight; they build up over years of time.

How Long Does It Take To Correct Sciatica?

The amount of time it takes to recover from sciatic pain can vary significantly from patient to patient. Some people respond very quickly while others may take more time.

It depends on the condition of the disc or joints that the chiropractor has to correct. In most cases, the longer the issue persists, the longer it will take to achieve correction. However, it typically takes less time to fix an issue than it did to create it.

If you are serious about turning this problem around, and avoiding surgery, call Dr. Fast at The Back Pain Clinic in Belleville today. We are here to answer any questions you have and we look forward to meeting you soon.

Can sciatica be prevented?

Some sources of sciatica may not be preventable, such as degenerative disk disease, sciatica due to pregnancy or accidental falls. Although it might not be possible to prevent all cases of sciatica, taking the following steps can help protect your back and reduce your risk:

• Maintain good posture: Following good posture techniques while you’re sitting, standing, lifting objects and sleeping helps relieve pressure on your lower back. Pain can be an early warning sign that you are not properly aligned. If you start to feel sore or stiff, adjust your posture.
• Don’t smoke: Nicotine reduces the blood supply to bones. It weakens the spine and the vertebral disks, which puts more stress on the spine and disks and causes back and spine problems.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Extra weight and a poor diet are associated with inflammation and pain throughout your body. To lose weight or learn healthier eating habits, look into the Mediterranean diet. The closer you are to your ideal body weight the less strain you put on your spine.
• Exercise regularly: Exercise includes stretching to keep your joints flexible and exercises to strengthen your core – the muscles of your lower back and abdomen. These muscles work to support your spine. Also, do not sit for long periods of time.
• Choose physical activities least likely to hurt your back: Consider low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, yoga or tai chi.
• Keep yourself safe from falls: Wear shoes that fit and keep stairs and walkways free of clutter to reduce your chance of a fall. Make sure rooms are well-lighted and there are grab bars in bathrooms and rails on stairways.