Treatment For Sciatic Pain

Being involved in a car accident is a frightening and traumatic experience that often leaves the driver and any occupants injured. While adrenaline may prevent immediate pain, your body will let you know the truth in due time. The most common injuries associated with car accidents are whiplash and spinal injuries like herniated discs, but many car accident victims end up suffering from sciatic pain.

If the sciatic nerve was pinched during a car accident, then it can produce debilitating back pain. You’ll often feel it in the lower back and the pain can even run down the back of each leg. This can become a long term or even chronic issue which is why chiropractic treatment is recommended for sciatic pain sufferers. If you live in Bradenton, then you should book an appointment at the Manasota Accident & Injury Center.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the name attributed to the pain that runs along the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve runs from your lumbosacral spine (lower back) through your hips, buttocks, and proceeds down each leg. Oftentimes, when one suffers an injury leading to sciatica, the pain will only occur on one side of your body at a time. Sciatica in and of itself is not an actual injury but a symptom that is caused by some sort of pinching or irritation of a nerve; the pinching of the nerve can be caused by injury or disease.

Symptoms of Sciatica

The symptom of sciatica is often pronounced and life-altering to those affected in the short term. Trying to find a comfortable position can feel next to impossible; sitting, walking, even laying in bed can be difficult and painful for those dealing with this issue.

Common symptoms typical to Sciatica include:

• Radiating pain from your lower back down your leg- the pain can vary in intensity from mild to severe and can change depending on position or movement.
• A sensation of pins and needles – a term often used to describe the often painful tingling sensation on the side of the affected leg or foot.
• Feelings of weakness or numbness in the affected leg along the sciatic nerve.

Medical Treatment Options for Sciatica

When it comes to sciatica pain most medical treatment options offer a wait and see approach, that focuses more on relieving the pain rather than finding or treating the root of that pain. Medications such as over the counter pain relievers, prescription muscle relaxants, and pain medications are often the first options provided. In severe cases of sciatica, some patients may be provided steroid injections and a small percentage that does not improve may have to undergo surgery.