If you haven’t experienced sciatica, you may not be able to fully imagine the profound impact it can have on your life. Though everyone’s symptoms vary, sciatica is universally described as excruciating pain that starts in the lower back and suddenly shoots down a leg.
The pain of sciatica is immediately debilitating as it occurs, and over time it often leads to long-term debilitation. Beyond the pain, patients often develop tingling, numbness, or muscle weakness in their leg, making it impossible to stand and walk.
Simply put, sciatica negatively affects your quality of life. If you have sciatica, it interferes with your ability to go to work, take care of your family, and enjoy your favorite activities. But we can help.
If you have tried the usual round of conventional medical care and you still struggle with sciatica, our team at iMed Regeneration Center offers comprehensive care that has helped many of our patients overcome their pain and return to the quality of life they deserve.
Read on to learn about what causes sciatica and the treatments that can help you overcome your symptoms.
Sciatica basics
The sciatic nerve leaves your spinal cord and travels down both sides of your body, passing through the left and right buttocks, and then down both legs to your feet.
Sciatica typically occurs when the sciatic nerve is pinched at the base of your spine, a problem that’s caused by conditions such as:
- Herniated disc
- Spinal stenosis
- Bone spurs
- Facet joint arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis (slipped vertebra)
Though it’s not a common cause, you can also develop sciatica when the muscles in your buttocks spasm and pinch the nerve.
Treatment options to relieve sciatica
Low back pain and sciatica seldom respond well to standard medical care. That’s why the American College of Physicians recommends treatment with exercise, rehabilitation, and spinal manipulation — therapies we offer at iMed Regeneration Center.
Your treatment options fall into three categories:
Chiropractic
We specialize in chiropractic care using many different techniques proven to relieve low back pain and sciatica.
Your treatment may include options such as spinal adjustments, spinal decompression, postural correction, manual chiropractic therapies, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).
Rehabilitation
Physical rehabilitation encompasses a wide range of therapies designed to strengthen your lower back, improve circulation, and reduce your pain.
A comprehensive rehabilitation plan incorporates many different therapies, including:
- Structured exercises
- Stretching
- Strength training
- Manual therapies
We also focus on teaching proper ergonomics and how to move throughout your day to prevent strain on your lower back that triggers sciatica.
Regenerative medicine
Regenerative medicine refers to injectable treatments using your body’s natural healing agents, platelets (platelet-rich plasma or PRP) and stem cells.
Platelets accelerate healing, regulate inflammation, and support stem cells. Adult stem cells such as mesenchymal stem cells regenerate all the new cells your body needs to repair damaged tissues.
We may recommend regenerative medicine to promote healing in the tissues causing your sciatica. For example, PRP is proving to be a potent healing agent for disc problems, while stem cells show promise for healing peripheral nerves.
PRP and stem cells combined may provide long-term relief for sciatica by healing problems in the spine responsible for the compressed nerve.
Don’t let sciatic continue to bring down your quality of life. Call us at iMed Regeneration Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, or schedule an appointment using our online tool to learn how we can help you return to the life you love.