What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a lower back condition that causes the sciatic nerve to produce a range of symptoms from the lower back to the bottom of the foot. Sciatica almost always appears on the right side, but it can also be associated with left leg issues.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Most people associate sciatica with pain that radiates down the right or left leg. In extreme cases, both legs might be affected. In mild cases, there might be no pain present, but a sensitivity that feels like pressure, burning, or numbness on the lower back, hip, and leg. The symptoms vary from patient to patient and range from excruciating pain to mild tingling.
What are the treatments for sciatica?
There is a long list of treatments that Dr. Shamoiel can use to treat sciatica and it is rare for Dr. Shamoiel to focus on a single treatment for sciatica. Instead, he builds a plan of care that involves multiple treatments and is specialized for each patient. Those may range from applying ice and heat to hands-on chiropractic care. He may also ask that you change certain lifestyle habits such as your diet or that you start exercising. His focus is always on helping you overcome pain but also to prevent the recurrence of sciatica through a proactive approach to care.
How long does the treatment for sciatica last?
The duration of treatment for sciatica depends on how severe your case is and how well your body responds to treatments. Expect treatment to last at the bare minimum for several weeks. Most people have ongoing treatments for several weeks and then again as flare-ups occur. If you have lifestyle options as part of your treatment plan, those can continue indefinitely. Also, expect that your treatment plan will change. As you grow stronger, different exercises will be more effective. As your pain decreases, new stretches and exercises will make your progress go faster.
