Sciatica Specialists

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a common condition that causes you to feel pain through your lower back and down the back of your leg. In most cases, this condition will affect only one leg at a time, but it can run down both legs simultaneously.

What are the most common causes of sciatica pain?

You develop the symptoms of sciatica when the nerve becomes irritated. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs from the lower back through the hips and down each of the legs.

Often the sciatic nerve becomes irritated because of pressure from the following causes:

• Herniated disc
• Bone spur
• Chronic disease

Diabetes, a chronic disease, may have also damaged the nerve. In rare cases, sciatica may be related to a tumor in the back.

What are the common symptoms of sciatica?

Most patients with sciatica feel the pain that radiates from the lower back to the buttock and down the back of the leg to the calf. The pain may feel like a mild ache, a burning sensation, or an electric shock.

The pain may worsen if you sit, cough, or sneeze for a long time. In addition, you may notice muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in the affected leg or foot.

How does alternative therapy treat sciatica?

At Earthy Ruby, the team’s goal will be to relieve your sciatica symptoms by addressing the underlying cause of your pain.

During your first appointment, your provider will perform a thorough physical exam. They may also recommend diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out specific causes of sciatica, such as herniated discs or bone spurs.

After your provider understands why your sciatica is occurring, they can develop a treatment plan that targets the underlying problems. Your provider may recommend:

• Physical therapy
• Massage therapy
• Acupuncture
• Ultrasound therapy
• Hot and cold therapy

In many cases, you'll need to undergo more than one type of therapy to get the best results.

How does a massage therapist treat sciatica?

Patients may prefer massage therapy to traditional medical treatments, such as injections or medications.

Your Earthy Ruby massage therapist will massage the tense muscles that pressure your sciatic nerve. By relaxing these muscles, massage therapy can help relieve your sciatica pain while improving your range of motion and flexibility.

In addition to massage therapy, your provider may also recommend acupuncture. A holistic approach can provide more effective results for patients, treating both the cause of symptoms and the symptoms themselves.

Discover the healing benefits of massage therapy and acupuncture at Earthy Ruby. To schedule an appointment for sciatic pain relief, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.