At Natural Care Chiropractic, a Lindenhurst chiropractic clinic serving the Wadsworth, Antioch, and Gurnee areas of Illinois, our chiropractor treats patients suffering from sciatica, a condition associated with pain in the lower back and leg area. The pain is a result of pinching in the sciatic nerve, which runs down the spine and the legs. Treatment options for sciatica include physical therapy and chiropractic adjustments, as well as massage therapy.

Sciatica Explained

Sciatica is not a specific condition. The term is used to describe the pain a patient feels in the sciatic nerve. Sciatica may occur as a result of another condition, such as a bulging or herniated disc in the spine. Spinal stenosis, or narrowing of the spine, can also cause sciatica, as can a traumatic injury and piriformis syndrome, which occurs when the piriformis muscle becomes too tight or spasms. Sitting for long periods of time or suffering an injury can cause piriformis syndrome.

Typically, patients with sciatica feel pain in their low back, buttocks and backs of their legs. Some patients experience numbness or tingling as well as weakness in the muscles. In very rare, emergency cases, patients may lose the ability to control their bladder or bowels.

Massage and Physical Therapy for Sciatica

Common treatment options for sciatica include physical therapy and massage therapy. Deep tissue massage, offered at our clinic, helps the piriformis muscle relax. Physical therapies used to treat sciatica include stretches and exercises that help the muscles in the back become stronger. Exercises can also help improve your posture. Chiropractor Dr. Mark Freund will teach patients the exercises necessary to help them heal. Patients can do the exercises in the comfort of their own homes. Other treatment options for sciatica include spinal adjustment, which helps restore a patient's range of motion and eases pain in the sciatic nerve.

Do you suffer from sciatica? Has physical or massage therapy helped you?