Sciatica treatment in Orland Park
Relieving the pressure behind that shooting pain down your leg.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica describes pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. When that nerve is compressed or irritated, it can send shooting pain, numbness, or tingling from the lower back all the way down the leg. Sciatica is not a diagnosis on its own; it is a set of symptoms pointing to something pressing on the nerve.
Symptoms
Sciatica usually affects just one side of the body. You may feel a sharp, shooting pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down the back of the leg, sometimes reaching the foot. Others notice a burning sensation, numbness, tingling, or weakness along the path of the nerve. The pain can range from a mild ache to a level that makes sitting, standing, or walking difficult.
Causes
Sciatica most often comes from a problem in the spine that puts pressure on the nerve. A herniated or bulging disc pressing against the nerve root is a frequent cause, as is a misalignment in the spine or narrowing of the spinal canal. Because the source can vary from patient to patient, an examination is the reliable way to know what is driving your symptoms.
How we treat it
Rather than masking the pain, Dr. Beekman looks for exactly what is compressing the sciatic nerve and treats it at the source. Targeted spinal adjustments gently restore alignment and relieve the pressure on the nerve, which can ease the shooting pain, numbness, and tingling. When a disc issue is involved, your personalized plan may also include supporting therapies such as therapeutic exercise to strengthen the muscles around your spine and help your results hold between visits.
Shooting pain down your leg? Sciatica tends to improve when the pressure on the nerve is relieved. Visit our Orland Park office for an examination so we can find the source and create a treatment plan for you.
Questions, answered
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is not a condition on its own; it is a set of symptoms caused by something pressing on or irritating the sciatic nerve. Common sources include a herniated or bulging disc, spinal misalignment, or narrowing of the spinal canal. Finding the underlying cause is the first step in relieving the pain.
Where will I feel sciatica pain?
Sciatica usually affects one side of the body. Pain often begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down the back of the leg, sometimes as far as the foot. It can feel like a sharp, shooting pain, a burning sensation, or numbness and tingling along the path of the nerve.
Can chiropractic care help my sciatica?
Because sciatica is caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve, care that relieves that pressure can ease the symptoms. Dr. Beekman examines your spine to find what is compressing the nerve, then builds a conservative, personalized plan to address it. Visit our Orland Park office for an examination so we can determine the best approach for you.
You don't have to live with sciatic pain
An examination tells us exactly what's pressing on the nerve, and what to do about it.