This article is one of a series covering sciatica — causes, symptoms, and the treatments we use at Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. For the complete overview, see the full guide:
→ Sciatica Treatment in New York City — The Complete Guide
Sciatica is a painful condition which may be episodic or chronic. Not a genuine condition unto itself, sciatica is, rather, a symptom of an underlying concern.
So, while it’s good to know about DIY solutions to sciatic pain, it’s also necessary that you discuss your sciatic pain with a clinical professional. This serves to apprehend the root cause of sciatica, toward resolving it.
The Sciatic Nerve
While it’s true that the sciatic nerve is associated with problems originating in the lower back, the pain from whatever condition that may be (disc herniations, bone spurs or any anomaly which impinges on the sciatic nerve) radiates down the backs of the legs.
The nerve (which is the largest in the body), originates in the lower back, then splits in two, traversing the buttocks and extending down the backs of the legs to the feet. That’s why the pain may manifest as remotely as in the toes.
The cause? Impingement on the nerve, resulting in irritation and inflammation.
Sciatic nerve pain is usually limited to only one leg.
Managing Sciatic Pain
As I’ve said, DIY solutions can help sciatic pain but they’re not going to address the underlying problem. Sciatic nerve pain is telling you something about the structures of your spine – dysfunction is present. That may be one of the conditions discussed above. Another possibility is faulty spinal alignment.
Once you’ve ascertained where the problem’s coming from, it’s much easier to address the pain effectively.
For some, physical therapy is the best path forward. For others, chiropractic care. Acupuncture is also becoming an increasingly popular solution to sciatica.
And while you’re getting the support of medical professionals, or while waiting for your appointment, there’s plenty you can do on your own to alleviate the pain.
Stretching disciplines like Yoga, for example, are enormously helpful. Strengthening the muscles of the core (not just your abdominal muscles, but your back and gluteal muscles) is another reliable strategy for combatting sciatic pain.
Visiting a physical therapist or chiropractor will also give you access to professional guidance concerning body mechanics which can help you head off misalignment of the spine at the pass by correcting items like gait and posture which may have triggered the problem.
Contrast therapy (alternating the application of cold and heat in 15-minute cycles every couple of hours) is also a proven strategy for soothing the pain of sciatica.
And let’s not minimize the influence of stress on physical pain. If you’re suffering from sciatica, you may need to consider approaches to stress reduction to help your therapy move forward.
Back & Body Medical
Our Manhattan facility offers multi-disciplinarian pain relief that gets exceptional results. Working as a team, Back & Body’s acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic and sports medicine professionals find solutions that fit the patient.
Every body is different and at Back & Body Medical, we honor your uniqueness by tailoring care to your needs. At one convenient facility, you’ll find all the pain relief care you need under one roof.
That saves you time.
Dr Shan Sivendra MD is the founder and medical director of Back and Body Medical in Midtown Manhattan. A board-certified medical doctor, certified acupuncturist, and Director of House Physicians at St. Barnabas Medical Center, Dr Sivendra has been practicing in New York since 1995.
He completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Saint Barnabas Medical Center (affiliated with Mount Sinai School of Medicine) and received the Resident Research Award for three consecutive years.
Dr Sivendra has a background spanning internal medicine, pain management, and conservative spine rehabilitation, and was licensed in both the US and the UK.
At Back and Body Medical, he leads a multidisciplinary team of chiropractors, physical therapists, and acupuncturists dedicated to helping patients recover from pain without surgery or unnecessary medication.