Sciatica is a common but painful lower back problem that affects about 40% of adults. If you regularly suffer from lower back pain and it doesn’t respond to conservative treatment, don’t wait to seek professional help. At Core Rehab LLC, the providers use conservative, minimally invasive measures to manage sciatica. To make an appointment at the office in Chicago, Illinois, call or schedule online today.
Sciatica occurs when your sciatic nerve –– a nerve that runs from your lower back, down your buttocks, and into your legs –– becomes compressed by a bone spur, a herniated disc, or spinal stenosis. As the group of symptoms that categorize sciatica progress, the pain increases, affecting your range of motion and ability to get a good night’s sleep.
Even though sciatica is painful, most cases respond to conservative, minimally invasive treatments.
Common symptoms of sciatica include:
If you have sciatica, you might also find it difficult to stand up or walk for extended periods.
Sciatica affects all types of people, but several factors may increase your risk, including:
If you have diabetes, you’re also more likely to experience sciatica.
There’s no way to prevent sciatica entirely, but there are ways to lower your risk. The providers at Core Rehab LLC recommend practicing proper posture, regularly exercising, and improving the ergonomics of your workspace. For example, when sitting at a desk, avoid crossing your legs and keep your feet firmly planted on the floor.
To diagnose sciatica, your Core Rehab LLC provider conducts a physical exam and asks about your symptoms. Then, they test your muscle strength and reflexes and have you perform a series of easy in-office exercises.
If these steps don’t provide enough insight into your condition, your provider orders diagnostic imaging tests, like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These procedures take detailed photographs of the hard and soft tissues in your spine and can pinpoint bone spurs or herniated discs.
Treatment of sciatica depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your daily life. Core Rehab LLC typically recommends conservative, minimally invasive treatments, including:
VAX-D uses a computerized table to gently stretch and relax your lower spine. It relieves tension on your vertebrae, eliminating sciatica pain.
If these treatments fail to ease your symptoms, surgical intervention may be necessary, but only as a last resort.
To receive treatment for sciatica, make an appointment at Core Rehab LLC by calling the office or scheduling online today.
