Do I Have Sciatica?
Have you ever felt a pain start in your lower back and then shoot down one of your legs? If yes, you may be experiencing sciatica. Sciatica pain may suddenly stop you in your tracks when it occurs, but it shouldn’t be ignored even if it eases up. Dr. Bobby Bilitsis at Prestige Health and Wellness urges individuals to get this checked out as soon as possible, as sciatica may not go away on its own. In fact, delayed treatment could lead to chronic pain that interferes with your daily life.
Sciatica symptoms may present as follows:
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness
- Burning sensation
- Pain in the lower back, leg, buttocks, or foot
We’ll discuss what you should know about sciatica and the non-surgical treatments available in Manhattan, New York.
What is Sciatica?
Also called lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica is a word used to describe pain that’s felt along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest and longest nerve in the human body, thought to be as wide as a man’s thumb at its most significant point.
The sciatic nerve starts in the lower back, goes along the back of the thigh and leg, and ends in the foot. It sends temperature, pain, and other sensory signals to the brain.
While most people think sciatica is the name of a disease, it’s actually a syndrome (group of symptoms). Therefore, when sciatica pain occurs, something has irritated the spinal nerve roots.
What Are The Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica symptoms may include the following in the lower back, leg, and/or foot:
- Mild ache to sharp, electric-shock-like pain
- Pain worsened when coughing or sneezing
- Numbness
- Tingling
- Weakness
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica most commonly occurs when the spinal nerve roots are irritated, which can be caused by numerous things. For instance, sometimes, an overgrowth of bone on the spine could compress the nerve. Other times, it might be a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, fractured bone fragments from trauma, or a tumor. There are even circumstances, like pregnancy, where the sciatic nerve may compress itself outside of the spine.
Non-Surgical Treatment for Sciatica in Manhattan
There are situations where sciatica goes away with time and self-treatment alone. However, it could also lead to damaged nerves, which could cause you to lose feeling in one of your legs or even experience issues with bladder control. As a result, the best thing to do is visit Prestige Health and Wellness in Manhattan so our compassionate and experienced team can support you.
Here are some of the non-surgical treatments we offer for sciatica pain:
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is a non-pharmacologic treatment where needles are inserted into the body to help restore overall health. Research suggests that acupuncture might be more effective than drugs for patients with sciatica and could be a replacement for medical treatment.
Physical Therapy and Massage Therapy for Sciatica
Manhattan physical therapy and massage therapy are other approaches that can help with pain management and improved functional movement. Both are conservative treatments that may help reduce inflammation and soreness.
Manhattan Occupational Therapy
Sciatica is often associated with certain occupations, such as machine operators, truck drivers, and jobs that require employees to hold physically awkward positions. Occupational therapy treatment can show individuals how to complete activities safely and effectively to minimize or prevent sciatica pain.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica in NYC
Manhattan chiropractic therapy may also provide relief to those suffering from sciatica. Treatment would involve realigning the joints and spine to alleviate discomfort. Having an X-ray taken is ideal so your chiropractor can create a specialized treatment plan and share suggestions you can try at home.
Contact Prestige Health and Wellness: Manhattan NYC
A possible complication of sciatica is chronic pain, which no one wants to endure. You don’t want something that can be resolved in a few weeks turning into a permanent issue. Delaying or dismissing treatment can have lasting negative implications, so seek relief when you notice something is off.
Want to learn more? Book an appointment to see about sciatica pain relief in Manhattan, or call our office at 212-393-4673.
We look forward to seeing you at one of our locations in Manhattan, NYC: