Sciatica
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Clark Integrated Medical Clinics
Chiropractic and Rehabilitative Care Centers & Integrated Medical Clinic located in Lafayette, New Iberia & Pineville, LA
Sharp, shooting pain down your legs caused by sciatica can be debilitating. Comprehensive treatment is available at Clark Integrated Medical Clinics in Lafayette, Pineville and New Iberia, Louisiana. The medical team has more than 30 years of combined experience in conservative and allopathic management of sciatica. If sciatica is causing you pain and discomfort, call or go online to schedule an appointment at either of their southern Louisiana locations.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is irritation or inflammation of your sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from your lower back to your buttocks, thighs, calves, and feet on both sides of your body. Sciatica can cause sharp, shooting pain, numbness and tingling, and sometimes weakness in your legs.
While some cases of sciatica are mild and just bothersome, other cases can be severe and prevent you from walking, sitting, or sleeping comfortably. Managing your sciatica through proper diagnosis and treatment at Clark Integrated Medical Clinics is the best way to relieve your symptoms and feel normal again.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica can be caused by a number of problems that irritate or inflame the sciatic nerve. The most common causes include:
- Poor posture
- Pregnancy
- Piriformis syndrome
- Spinal joint dysfunction
- Spinal stenosis
- Disc herniation
- Degenerative disc disease
While some causes are straightforward, others may require greater investigation to reach an accurate diagnosis. In the majority of sciatica cases, proper treatment can relieve your symptoms faster and more effectively than rest alone.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
You will first meet with your doctor to discuss your medical history and symptoms. Your doctor will then perform a thorough physical exam to locate the source of pain.
Your exam will involve assessing your flexibility and range of motion, muscle strength, and orthopedic and neurological health. If your doctor suspects a more complicated case, they may request X-rays or an MRI.
Once your doctor reviews your examination and makes a diagnosis, they will design a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce your symptoms and get you back to your normal life.
How is sciatica treated?
Your treatment will be tailored to your needs and physical abilities. Simple cases may involve relieving excess muscle tension through Active Release Techniques and rehabilitation.
More complex cases that involve bone and joint structures may include chiropractic adjustments, traction, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, pain numbing creams, or medications.
The team at Clark Integrated Medical Clinics will work with you to develop an effective plan to help with your sciatica. If you’re ready for expert attention and care to relieve your sciatica symptoms, call or go online to book an appointment today.
