Sciatica Pain Which Doctor To See
Neurosurgeons – Neurosurgeons are specialists of the nervous system. They are specifically trained in treating conditions that cause damage or pain to the nerves in the body, including sciatic nerve pain. Your neurosurgeon will determine if your case requires surgery on the nerve in order to repair the damage and relieve the pain.
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When should I see a neurologist for sciatica?
Symptoms of Sciatica – The symptoms of sciatica can range from a simple, uncomfortable, mild ache to sharper sensations similar to a feeling of being burned. In some cases, the pain can be excruciating and unbearable. There are a variety of common symptoms of sciatica which include, but are not limited to, the following:
A burning and/or tingling sensations that runs down the leg A feeling of weakness and/or numbness in the foot or leg Inability to move the leg or foot with ease Pain along the side of the rear that is consistent Any pain that makes it challenging to stand up Pain in the hip area Any pain in the leg and/or rear that worsens when seated
If you experience any of the following symptoms you should see a doctor immediately:
Difficulty controlling the bladder and bowel movements Sciatic pain immediately following a major accident, such as a car accident Numbness or muscle weakness in the lower back and/or leg that appears suddenly and with severe amounts of pain
Generally speaking, sciatica will only impact one side of the lower body, although it occasionally can affect both sides (such as both hips, both legs, etc.). In most scenarios, the pain will begin at the lower back and work its way through the thigh and leg. The foot and toes can also be affected by sciatica pain depending on where the sciatic nerve has been impacted.
Do chiropractors treat sciatica?
Chiropractic and sciatica in Littleton CO – While sciatica pain can be debilitating, chiropractic treatment can relieve it gently and naturally. This care entails treating the pain without costly and harmful side effects. With that said, here is how a can help with sciatica:
Accurate Diagnosis of sciatica: Chiropractic care is founded on the basis that restricted spinal movement can lead to pain and reduced function. If you are experiencing sciatic pain, a chiropractor will examine and review your medical history to determine the cause of the pain. Chiropractic treatment helps the body heal itself with drug-free, non-invasive (non-surgical) treatment. Chiropractic massage therapy: The chiropractic type of massage is an intense way of relieving sciatica pain. It can induce deep muscle relaxation and release endorphins that act as natural painkillers. While regular spa massage may release sore muscles and tension, chiropractic massage is more directed toward soothing and healing sciatica. Chiropractors have knowledge of the whole musculoskeletal system of your body. They know how and where to apply pressure to ensure that the healing process kicks off. Heat and cold therapies: Alternating cold and heat therapy has been used by chiropractors to do wonders and provide quick relief from sciatica pain. Heat can release tight muscles and dull the agony away. Cold therapies will slow down the blood flow and help ease the symptoms of inflammation. The chiropractor understands which treatment is suitable for you, whether to use both, and how often to alternate them. Ultrasound and other modalities: Ultrasound is the gentle heat that’s generated by sound waves, which penetrate deep into the body’s tissues. It can improve circulation (promoting healing), and lessens cramping, swelling, muscle spasms, and pain. Other modalities that a chiropractor can use to help ease sciatica pain include low-level laser therapy also known as cold laser therapy. It enhances healing by reducing irritation, swelling or edema, and musculoskeletal pain. Furthermore, chiropractic can employ the TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit. This is a small, battery-powered nerve-stimulating device that relaxes muscle spasms, increases endorphins, and reduces pain. Chiropractic adjustments: A chiropractor can apply spinal manipulations to allow a herniated disc to rest back into position and take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. The adjustments can also free limited spinal movement and restore misaligned vertebral discs. This technique varies from a quick high-velocity thrust to a combination of minimal force and gentle pressure. It allows the chiropractor to gently move the lower back vertebral to avoid pressing on the sciatic nerve. This will lessen the pain as well as regain nerve signal flow and mobility. Furthermore, a chiropractor can use manipulations to ease muscle spasms, which will help with long-term relief. Spinal decompression: Sometimes, the discs in your spine can dry out naturally and become thinner, resulting in pinched nerves and spine compression. As the name implies, chiropractors use spinal decompression to relieve the compression of the nerves that are causing sciatica pain. That can include techniques to lengthen the spine and enhance the space between the vertebrae. Chiropractic exercises: Moving in particular ways can worsen sciatica pain. Nonetheless, depending on the root cause of the problem, a chiropractor will recommend exercises that not only avoid sciatic nerve aggravation but also help in releasing the pressure that comes from inflamed and tight muscles. Those exercises include stretching programs that you can do right at home. Yoga is also effective for relieving sciatica pain. For instance, the reclining pigeon pose can stretch the piriformis muscle, release pressure on the nerve, and ease irritations. Lifestyle changes: Chiropractors look at all aspects of your life. He or she might recommend a new way to stand, sit, sleep, and lift to protect the positioning of the sciatic nerve. This guidance can help you strengthen the back muscles to keep the disc in place. That is crucial because, the stronger the back is, the less likely discs will slip to put pressure on the sciatic nerve again. Therefore, chiropractors can help ease sciatica pain both in the short and long term.
Should I go to a chiropractor for sciatica pain?
Can Sciatica Go Away On Its Own? – In some cases, sciatica symptoms can get better over time without a chiropractor’s help. However, because sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, it’s best to seek chiropractic treatment to figure out the underlying cause of your sciatica pain. Sciatica is caused by something putting pressure on the nerve. Until that pressure is relieved, your sciatica will not be “cured.” Yes, even if you’re not currently experiencing any symptoms. That being said, there are several home remedies you can use to try and relieve your sciatic pain.
Hot/cold therapies Light exercise Stretching Good posture Pain relievers (in moderation)
It should be noted that these home remedies for sciatica should not be used in place of proper chiropractic care, but in addition to it. In fact, your sciatica chiropractor may even recommend that you do some or all of these treatments between adjustments.
Does sciatica show on MRI?
Skip to content Sciatica is a very common condition where a person experiences pain along the sciatic nerve. This pain can radiate from the lower back into the hips, buttocks, and legs. It is usually caused by a bone spur or herniated disc, and typically only affects one side of the body.
For many, the pain from sciatica can be debilitating. Imaging studies are usually needed to diagnose the cause of sciatic nerve pain. An MRI of the lumbar spine will show many causes of low back pain and sciatica, including disc herniations, facet arthritis, and lumbar spinal stenosis. Digital x-rays and CT scans may also be used to diagnose the cause of sciatica.
Once the cause of the pain is identified, treatment options can be explored by your physician.
How do I know if my sciatica is severe?
When to see a doctor – Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary care provider if self-care measures don’t ease symptoms. Also call if pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse. Get immediate medical care for:
Sudden, severe pain in the low back or a leg and numbness or muscle weakness in a leg Pain after a violent injury, such as a traffic accident Trouble controlling bowels or bladder
Does sciatica show on xray?
Sciatica Symptoms and Diagnosis
For the most part, diagnosing sciatica is fairly simple, requiring only a physical exam and a description of your symptoms, when and how they started, how long you have had them, and what worsens or relieves them.To assess your condition your doctor may also check your reflexes using a reflex hammer and move your legs in various ways while you lie on the exam table.If it appears you have sciatica, many physicians will take a conservative approach and suggest you wait a few weeks to see if the pain clears up.
If the pain persists, a doctor will likely order imaging tests to make sure the pain is, in fact, due to sciatica. Potential causes of sciatica, such as herniated disks or bone spurs, will show up on,, or X-rays. Typically, your doctor will start with an because they are quick, low-cost, and able to show major abnormalities of the spine.
Your doctor may also test the functioning of your muscles and nerves using electromyography. This test involves inserting a fine needle into various muscles to record the electrical activity of your muscle fibers when they are contracted and at rest. In the nerve conduction portion of electromyography, small electric shocks are sent through the nerves to measure how fast they conduct electricity and to determine whether there is damage to the nerves.
Any of these tests can help determine what is causing your pain. : Sciatica Symptoms and Diagnosis
How quickly can a chiropractor fix sciatica?
Keep sciatic pain away with strengthening and stretching exercises – Dr. Bang says most chiropractors focus on as few treatments as possible to bring relief to patients. Sciatica-like pain can usually be relieved within four visits or less. During treatment sessions, chiropractors teach basic exercises that you can do at home to stop the symptoms from returning.
Is Acupuncture good for sciatica?
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for sciatica without the side effects of prescription pain medications like NSAIDs and muscle relaxers. It is also a safe, non-surgical treatment option that can relieve sciatica pain.
How do doctors test for sciatic nerve?
When you seek care for sciatica, your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, as well as give you a physical exam. During the exam, he or she may ask you to sit and lie down, walk, run, kick your legs in the air, and squat to provide more information about the root of the problem.
