What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve that travels from the lower back all the way down the leg to the calf and foot. Pressure or tension on the sciatic nerve can create sciatic nerve pain. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the human body, which explains why sciatica nerve pain can be so disruptive to one’s life. Irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause a number of different symptoms or combinations of symptoms, including but not limited to:
Numbness
Tingling
Burning
A deep, dull ache
Sharp, shooting pain
Electric, radiating pain
A loss of strength in the leg or foot
Don’t Allow Sciatica Nerve Pain to Take Over Your Life
In today’s society it has become all too popular to mask our pain instead of dealing with it. As a chiropractor I find myself repeatedly asking patients why they waited so long to come into the office. Usually I am answered with one of three reasons: I thought it would go away, I felt better while I was taking pain medication, or I don’t have health insurance.
I Thought It Would Go Away
The problem with this line of thinking is that the “it” isn’t referring to the nerve problem or injury; it’s referring to pain. It is true that pain can come and go but what we don’t see or feel is that whether or not pain is present the problem (inflammation, pressure, or tension on the nerve) that caused the pain in the first place may still be present. If you allow this problem to continue simply because the pain has stopped it may eventually lead to chronic pain conditions and intermittent sciatic nerve pain flare ups.
I Felt Better While I Was Taking Pain Medication
Pain medication is both a gift and a curse for the same reason; it takes away or lessens your pain. This is a gift because you are able to focus on other things besides your pain. It is a curse because it may sometimes trick you into feeling that there is no longer a problem. Often time’s patients may even make matters worse by continuing normal activity sense they feel better on pain meds instead of resting and letting their body heal.
I Don’t Have Health Insurance
This is perhaps one of the top reasons patients wait so long to seek care. It is extremely important to know that many chiropractors will work with cash patients to set up a payment plan that works for them. Also you need to keep in mind that the longer you go without care the worse the situation or condition will become, meaning you will most likely need more extensive care for a longer period of time than if you come in when the symptoms start.
It’s time to throw out the excuses and put your health first! Chiropractic care will locate and treat the core cause of your sciatica nerve pain naturally and effectively. To set up a consultation and exam or to have more questions answered call Hinz Family Chiropractic at (615) 503-9900.
