With the hustle and bustle of the holiday season in full swing, it’s easy to get distracted by the seemingly never ending list of things to do, gifts to buy and people to see. All too often, many tend to disregard their own needs during this time and may be suffering needlessly.
Sciatica is known to affect 10% of the population, most commonly for people between the ages of 25 – 45 years old.
The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc (herniated disc) in the spine pressing against the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica can also be a symptom of other conditions that affect the spine, such as:
– narrowing of the spinal canal (spinal stenosis)
– bone spurs (small, bony growths that form along joints)
– nerve root compression (pinched nerve) caused by injury
Left untreated, sciatica can worsen over time and become much more than a painful symptom.
While it is not always possible to prevent sciatica, consider these suggestions to help protect your back and improve your spinal health:
• Maintain a healthy diet and weight
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain proper posture
• Avoid prolonged inactivity or bed rest
• If you smoke, seek help to quit
• Use good body mechanics when lifting
Remember, sciatica is a symptom, not the problem.
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free treatment option to sciatica relief. The goal of chiropractic care is to restore spinal movement, thereby improving function while decreasing pain and inflammation. Depending on the cause of the sciatica, a chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods, including but not limited to spinal adjustments, ice/heat therapy, and rehabilitative exercises. When treated with chiropractic care, sciatica has an 8-9% greater rate of recovery than standard medical care.
If you or someone you know suffers from Sciatica, give us a call or speak to one of the doctors at your next visit, to find out how to benefit from the drug-free results HealthFirst Spine & Wellness provides.
If you have questions or would like to schedule an appointment with Austin chiropractors, contact Healthfirst Spine & Wellness at 512-601-5220.
