Sciatica FAQs

Sciatica is a painful condition that impacts your back and legs, with pain that easily disrupts your daily routine. As a leading chiropractor in Los Angeles, CA, Dr. Michael Sheps offers a variety of sciatica treatment options that can help with pain management and the prevention of future sciatica issues.

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve, which is recognized as the largest in your body, begins in the lower back and runs through the hip area, branching out through the buttocks and down the back of each leg. The term sciatica refers to an ailment or disorder characterized by various levels of pain that radiate on the path of your sciatic nerve.

The condition, which usually affects one side of the body, can be the result of several situations that put pressure on the nerve resulting in inflammation. These include –

• A back injury
• Trauma
• A herniated spinal disc, among other reasons.

A compressed or inflamed sciatic nerve can cause varying amounts of pain – some of it excruciating. A sciatic flare-up prevents those who are afflicted with the ability to do routine activities of daily living. However, while the pain from an inflamed or compressed sciatic nerve can be severe, most cases clear up after receiving sciatica treatment that offers help with pain management and other sciatica symptoms.

How Can Our Chiropractor in Los Angeles Help With Sciatica?

Sciatica treatments from our LA chiropractor have the potential to reduce or even alleviate sciatic nerve pressure by adjusting one’s hip or back. These adjustments gently shift the space between your spinal discs– ultimately releasing the compression on the nerve. In addition, chiropractors can provide complementary therapies to reduce symptoms by releasing muscle tension around the sciatic nerve –

• Electronic stimulation
• Massage
• Heat

And Dr. Sheps can educate you on how to lift items safely or correct your posture – to proactively avoid another stint with sciatica. 

Self-Care for Sciatica

With the doctor’s knowledge and approval, those who suffer from sciatica may find relief from acute pain by -

• Gentle stretching to increase your range of motion and flexibility.
• Gentle exercising – research suggests gentle exercise helps to ease the pain.
• Alternating heat and ice therapies – ice reduces inflammation, and heat encourages blood flow to the affected area. Be sure to protect your skin when applying these alternate therapies.

Ready for a Consultation With LA’s Leading Chiropractor, Dr. Michael Sheps?

If you are experiencing leg or lower back pain, contact Dr. Michael Shep's team of professionals online or call their Los Angeles, CA office at (310) 873-4422 to schedule a consultation or book an appointment. Dr. Sheps and his staff look forward to customizing your treatment plan.