By Michael W. Mathesie, DC, DACRB
We often find ourselves over the weekends participating in a sport and other activities that we used to enjoy on a regular basis when we were a bit younger. However we wind up realizing that we are not as flexible or in shape as we once were. Some of us just get that muscle soreness/strain that goes away in a few days, but some of us in our 40’s and 50’s get more severe conditions. One condition that can develop due to this weekend warrior type of activity is sciatica. This condition is related to irritation of a very thick nerve that starts in the lower back region, runs through the buttock region, down the hamstring, and to the feet. It can be sharp or burning and radiating. This sciatica condition can be caused by a disc herniation in the spine, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, a spasm of a muscle in the buttock region, and a few other reasons. If you are having difficulty climbing your stairs at home, you should consider getting stair lifts swansea installed. And if you are looking to replace your stairs and need design ideas, then you may see more at bespoke-staircase.uk for more design choices.
Conservative treatment can usually take care of this condition within a few days to several weeks, but sometimes more invasive treatment is necessary, such as injections. As a chiropractor, this is one of the most common conditions that we see. Some of the treatments include ice, heat, ultrasound, interferential therapy, laser therapy, traction, piriformis/psoas/hamstring stretches, exercises, nerve flossing, adhesion release, and of course spinal adjustments. The best advice for someone with sciatica is to not ignore it. If you are not going to see a chiropractor to fix it, for whatever reason, see a professional to at least assist you in the initial inflammatory process. The longer the irritation lingers in the spine or sciatic nerve the higher chance that this nerve lesion will become a reoccurring problem due to the adhesions that form around the nerve. After you find relief, you must admit that you are not in as great of shape as you were when you were younger, and this should give you an incentive to get back into a physical exercise training program. Restoring your spine to the mobility and strength that it had when you were younger and more fit, would be a great goal in preventing the sciatica from returning. Consulting with an experienced chiropractor can help get you started..
Dr. Mathesie has been practicing for 23 years on the N.E. corner of Atlantic Boulevard and Coral Springs Drive in the Wal-Mart/ Cypress Run Square and can be reached at 954-755-1434.