There’s a saying that laughter is the best medicine, but when it comes to sciatic pain, there’s nothing to chuckle about. As a chiropractor practicing in Singapore since 2019, I know how to overcome sciatica. I’ve treated a variety of ailments, from the common back pain and neck pain to more severe conditions like sciatica.
While I don’t see as much sciatic pain in Singapore compared to the more blue-collar countries I’ve worked in, like Cambodia or Vietnam, I can assure you that I’m very comfortable treating it.
Sciatic Pain – Overview
So, what is sciatic pain or sciatica? The term sciatica refers to a type of pain that travels along the sciatic nerve. Such pain stems from an issue with that nerve, which is the longest nerve in your body. It connects the lower back and divides to pass through your hips, buttocks, legs, and feet on both sides. When a herniated disc in your spine presses on this nerve, it can cause a significant amount of pain, numbness, or even weakness in your lower body.
Now, the bad news about sciatic pain is that it can’t be a quick fix. But here’s the silver lining – there is a much better alternative than surgery. Let’s dive a little deeper into the physiology of sciatica pain and why it can be so debilitating.
How Sciatica Affects Your Life
Living with chronic pain like this can be incredibly challenging. It can take a toll on your mental health, leading to issues such as anxiety and depression. It can also affect your physical health, making it difficult to move around and carry out daily activities.
Symptoms of Sciatica
While the sciatic pain usually shoots down your leg, it can occur on almost any point of the nerve. However, it’s most likely to follow a certain path – starting at the lower back, onto the buttock, and then spreading down the back of the thigh towards the calf.
The pain itself can be felt as mildly as possible (if you’re in luck). However, it can also be felt severely, as a burning and sharp pain, often perceived as a sort of electric shock or jolt. Sneezing and coughing, along with prolonged sitting, worsens the issue and the pain that follows. Most times, sciatica will only affect one side of your body. Numbness and a tingling feeling in the muscles can also be a symptom of this issue.
When Should You Visit a Chiropractor in Singapore?
While mild sciatic pain could eventually cease over time, you shouldn’t overlook it. I would advise you not to ignore the pain – if you’re experiencing severe discomfort, you should have it treated right away. Here are the symptoms that should alarm you to seek help immediately:
- Abrupt, intense pain in the leg or lower back, accompanied by limb numbness or weakness,
- Pain following a violent trauma, like a collision in a car,
- Difficulty controlling the bladder or bowels.
How Can Chiropractic Care in Singapore Help?
Yes, sciatica can cause debilitating pain, and it can easily interfere with your everyday life and activities. But it doesn’t need to come to that point. That’s why you should see a chiropractor who will relieve the issue with gentleness and in a natural way.
Accurate Sciatica Diagnosis
Chiropractic treatment focuses on the idea that when your spine doesn’t move in the way that it should, it can cause pain and limit your mobility. If you’re dealing with the discomfort of sciatica, browse “chiropractor near me” on the Internet to find a specialist near your area. They will check out your spine and go over the health history to figure out the culprit that’s causing the pain. The greatest thing about chiropractic care is that it encourages your body to heal naturally without the need for medications or surgery.
Adjustments With a Chiropractor
A chiropractor can work some magic with spinal adjustments to help a slipped disc move back into place, which eases the pressure on your sciatic nerve. These adjustments also help loosen up a stiff spine and put any disc that’s out of place back in line. The way this is handled can vary – sometimes, it’s a quick, precise movement, and other times, it’s a mix of gentle pressure and soft force.
This allows the Singapore chiropractor to carefully adjust your lower back bones without putting more strain on your sciatic nerve. It not only cuts down on pain and offers immediate relief but also improves nerve signals and your ability to move around. Additionally, these adjustments can relax muscle spasms, bringing you some long-term comfort.
Chiropractic Exercises
Moving in certain ways can actually worsen the pain. Depending on what’s causing it, I can personalize a treatment plan as a chiropractor and suggest exercises that won’t irritate the nerve. That will help relieve the pressure from swollen and tense muscles.
These exercises are simple stretches you can easily practice at home. Yoga can be super helpful, too. Take the reclining pigeon pose, for example – it stretches out the piriformis muscle, helps take the pressure off the nerve, and calms down any irritation.
Changes to Your Lifestyle for Better Health
Chiropractors not only focus on your back – they consider the whole lifestyle. A good chiropractor can suggest better ways to stand, sit, sleep, and lift things to keep your sciatic nerve happy and healthy.
When I provide advice for strengthening the back muscles, I take into account the person’s physical readiness, current conditions, and chronic issues, if there are any – all of which are extremely important when it comes to the right treatment plan.
Generally, the stronger your back, the less chance there is of your discs slipping and squishing the same nerve again. That’s why seeing a local chiropractor near you can really help with sciatica pain, both right now and in the long run.
Why You Should Treat It at a Chiropractic in Singapore
Let’s face it – ignoring pain rarely makes it disappear. In fact, the longer you wait to seek treatment for that nagging pain shooting down your leg, the more of a toll it will take on your overall health.
It’s like a small crack in a windshield that, over time, can spread across the entire glass. So, if you’re experiencing such pain or general discomfort, don’t hesitate to shoot over to the chiropractor.
Shoot Over to Our Clinic and Ease the Pain
When it comes to treating sciatica, our approach is all about understanding your unique situation. We know that no two bodies are the same, and that means no two treatments should be the same, either. Whether it’s a specific adjustment, gentle exercise, or lifestyle change, InsideOut Wellness is here to help you manage your pain and improve your quality of life.
And it’s not just about short-term relief – we’re looking at the big picture to make sure you stay healthier and happier in the long run. So, don’t let the pain in your leg become a pain in your life. I’m Doctor Zach LaBoube, and my team and I are ready to help you bounce back to your best self. Remember, the sooner you get it checked, the quicker you can get back to doing the things you love pain-free. Contact us today, and let us schedule your appointment.
