Struggling With Sciatica in Seabrook TX?

Sciatica pain in Seabrook TX can strike at any time, making it difficult to stand up, take a walk, or climb a flight of stairs. Fortunately, there are plenty of integrative, non and minimally invasive treatments that can provide relief. At Gulf Coast Healthcare, advanced chiropractic specialist Mark Hill, DC, and the team offer comprehensive care for sciatica. To make an appointment at the practice in Seabrook, Texas, click the online booking tool or call the office today.

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What is sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain felt along the sciatic nerve –– a nerve that runs from your lower back, over your buttocks, and into your legs and feet. Often, sciatica occurs due to a bone spur, a herniated disc, or the narrowing of the space around the spinal column (spinal stenosis).

Pain caused by sciatica can be severe, but it may resolve on its own. In many cases, healthy lifestyle changes and activity modifications are enough to provide significant relief.

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What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Sciatica affects everyone differently, but a sharp, shooting, or stabbing pain that starts in the lower back and radiates into one side of the lower body characterizes it. If sciatica is the cause of your lower back pain, you might also notice it gets worse when you cough, sneeze, or sit for an extended period.

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When should I visit a chiropractor in Seabrook TX about sciatica?

Mild sciatica usually responds to ice, rest, and over-the-counter pain medication. If self-care measures don’t relieve your symptoms, or you experience severe pain following an injury, contact the team at Gulf Coast Healthcare, right away.

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Who is at risk of sciatica?

Sciatica can affect anyone, but several factors may increase your risk, including:

• Being middle-aged or older
• Being overweight
• Working a physically demanding job
• Sitting for extended periods

You’re also more likely to experience sciatica if you have diabetes. If you fail to monitor your blood sugar regularly, diabetes can result in permanent nerve damage (neuropathy).

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How is sciatica diagnosed?

To diagnose sciatica, the team at Gulf Coast Healthcare, reviews your health history and asks about your symptoms, including their severity and if any activities like exercise or sitting make them worse.

Next, your provider checks your muscle strength and reflexes. If you experience pain while walking on your toes or standing up from a squatting position, you probably have sciatica.

If your symptoms are severe, the team might order additional tests like X-rays, an MRI, or a CT scan. These imaging techniques can determine underlying issues like fractures, bone spurs, or herniated discs.

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How is sciatica treated?

At Gulf Coast Healthcare, the team uses integrative, non and minimally invasive treatments to manage sciatica, including:

• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) by Medical Wave
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
• Trigger point injections
• Rehabilitation and exercise
• Pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) therapy
• MR4® Laserstim pulsed cold laser
• Therapeutic massage
• Traction therapy/spinal decompression

Traction therapy uses a computer-controlled table and a special harness to relieve pressure on your vertebral discs and sciatic nerve.

To learn more about the treatment options for sciatica, make an appointment at Gulf Coast Healthcare, by calling the office today or clicking the online scheduler.