How Osteopaths Can Help With Sciatica
If you’ve experienced sciatica to any degree, you’ll know how uncomfortable it is. The pain can grow severe if left untreated, massively impacting your day-to-day routine and key physical functions. Many people aren’t sure where to turn when they think they may have developed a case of sciatica. If you think you could need treatment for sciatica, chances are you’ve got some big questions. What, exactly, is it? Can an osteo treat sciatica? We’ll answer all these questions and more in our easy guide.
This blog outlines key details about sciatica and the symptoms to look out for, as well as how osteopathy can be a viable treatment option. For personalised health advice, contact our team at Osteos of Noosa today.
What is Sciatica?
Known also as lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica is a type of pain that originates along the sciatic nerve. This particular nerve travels from the lower back, through the back of the pelvis, down the buttocks, and along each leg. Naturally, you can imagine how overwhelming and debilitating it can be to experience high levels of pain throughout all those regions. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your entire body, and any damage done to it can significantly impact your daily life.
Symptoms and Causes of Sciatica
In most cases, sciatica occurs when an overgrown bone or herniated disk overwhelms the nerve with pressure. As the bulging disk presses against the sciatic nerve, it begins to get inflamed, and if left untreated the pain will only get worse. Here are a few other contributing factors that can lead to pressure on your sciatic nerve:
Nerve disorders
Blood clots
Obesity
Poor posture
Sitting or standing in uncomfortable positions
Abscesses
Tumors
Most commonly, sciatica presents itself as pain that radiates across the entire sciatic nerve. This inflammation and pain can often be particularly noticeable in the lower back, or it may spread down your buttock and into the backs of your thighs. In severe cases, sciatica can also present as numbness and weakness throughout the affected areas. While the pain can be serious, most cases of sciatica can go away within a few weeks of treatment.
Treatment Options
Having sciatica is no fun. Fortunately, it’s relatively common, and there are plenty of treatment options available to get your body back on track! There are both surgical and nonsurgical treatments available for patients with sciatica, but surgery is typically a last resort option. Nonsurgical treatments can help reduce pain levels and address the root cause of the problem. However, people with severe cases of sciatica and serious changes to their body’s function might eventually need surgery to eliminate the issue.
The first line of treatments for sciatica will typically include physical therapy, medications, alternative therapies, and sometimes injections. Working with someone who has a holistic understanding of the body as a whole can provide treatment that will not only address current pain, but set you up for a long, healthy future.
How Osteopathy Can Help
So, how can an osteopath treat your sciatica?
What sets osteopathy apart is its focus on the musculoskeletal system as a whole. The practice believes that even one small mishap can affect the entire system. Should you choose to see an osteo for your condition, you will be receiving treatment that looks at the ‘bigger picture’. What is the original source of your sciatica? How is it affecting your health as a whole? You will receive treatment as well as lifestyle advice, not only seeking to lower your pain levels but also to prevent any further damage in the future.
By paying close attention to all the key systems and structures of the body, you can trust an osteopath to ensure that your sciatica doesn’t become a lifelong, ongoing issue to be tackled.
Contact Osteos of Noosa Today for Sciatica Treatment
No matter the severity of your current symptoms, sciatica should never be left untreated. If you think you’re experiencing pain that could be coming from the sciatic nerve, it is crucial to seek treatment now. Why wait around and let it get worse?
Our friendly team at Osteos of Noosa takes pride in helping people to overcome their pain and build healthier lifestyles. And we’re ready to tackle your sciatica next! Book an appointment today for an assessment. The sooner we can get to work, the sooner you can be treated and back to living life to its fullest. Don’t hesitate – reach out today!