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One common condition related to back pain is sciatica. The term “sciatica” is well-known, and many people assume that if they have back pain, they also have sciatica. However, this isn’t always the case. If someone does have sciatica, their symptoms are often felt around the hip area, and the pain can travel all the way down to the feet. If you’re experiencing shooting pain down your leg, it’s quite possible that you have sciatica, but the good news is that it’s fixable.
The sciatic nerve is one of the longest nerves in your body, extending from your L4 and L5 vertebrae down to your leg. One of the most common causes of sciatica is prolonged sitting. When you sit, pressure builds up around the L3, L4, and L5 regions, where the sciatic nerve exits. This pressure can trigger symptoms, especially if you have improper posture or sitting habits.
Many people struggle to treat sciatica because they focus only on masking the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause of the problem. Sciatica is often caused by pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve, typically from poor posture, sitting for long periods, muscle imbalances, or misalignments in the spine. If you’ve been treating it with medication, rest, or temporary fixes, you might be missing out on the underlying issues that keep triggering the pain. Conventional treatments like painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs don’t solve the core problem – they simply mask the discomfort temporarily.
Another reason people fail to treat sciatica effectively is that they don’t take an active role in their recovery. Improving posture, strengthening supporting muscles, and making lifestyle changes are key to managing and reducing sciatica. Without addressing these factors, the problem will persist, and you may find yourself continuously relying on pain relief options.
The consequences of not addressing the root cause of sciatica can be significant. If left untreated, chronic pain may limit your mobility, prevent you from enjoying activities, and lead to further complications like muscle weakness, poor posture, and even nerve damage. Over time, this can make it harder to recover and impact your quality of life. It’s important to tackle the source of the pain to regain full function and avoid long-term issues.
When we treat patients with sciatica, our approach is different. First, we conduct a thorough assessment to examine their posture, how they move, how they sit, and how they stand, as the root cause is often poor posture. By addressing this, we can fix many issues. Based on this assessment, I design a personalized program to help improve your habits and relieve pressure from the sciatic nerve.
If you have an active flare-up, meaning you’re experiencing active pain, we can start with dry needling. This technique involves using a needle on the specific areas of tightness. A common question I get is about the difference between acupressure, acupuncture, and dry needling. Acupuncture involves placing needles in various parts of the body to bring energy or “chi” into balance, while dry needling is evidence-based. We target specific tight muscles, ligaments, or tendons, and use the needle to stimulate those areas, reducing inflammation.
We also use MPs therapy, which stimulates acupressure points, and shockwave therapy, which has been very effective. We’ve seen tremendous results with acoustic wave therapy. Additionally, we incorporate manual therapy to align the affected areas. Afterward, we provide a home exercise program to ensure your muscles are properly prepared and ready to support your recovery.
Download Our Free Back Pain Report
If you’re suffering from back pain, the first thing I recommend is downloading my free report. It’s filled with tips that can really help you manage your pain. The report covers ways to prevent back pain and offers modifications you can start implementing at home, at your desk, or in your office that can make a big difference. I also talk about the importance of things like footwear and mattresses, plus provide some bonus tips to further help you manage your pain.
Arrange A Free Telephone Consultation
In addition to the report, I offer a free phone consultation. If you’re still struggling with back pain and aren’t sure what to do next, give us a call. We’ll ask you a few questions to understand what’s going on, and from there, we can develop a plan that suits your needs.
Arrange A Free Discovery Visit
We also offer free discovery sessions. During these sessions, you’ll spend 15-20 minutes with me or one of my team members. We’ll take the time to understand your problem, find the root cause of your back pain, and review what you’ve tried so far. Then, we’ll discuss what you can do at home to manage your symptoms and what type of care we can provide to help you achieve your goals.
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I’ve been featured on the local CBS program Dallas Destination, regularly speak at community libraries and clubs on effective back pain management, and have been internationally highlighted in Health Expert News for my expertise. I’m also a trusted provider for local spine surgeons, known for helping patients avoid unnecessary surgery and medication through proven treatment and education.