Sciatica

Dr. Atil Narayan, DACM, L.Ac.

Atil Narayan, DACM, L.Ac. Acupuncture & Pain Management located in West Covina, CA

Sciatica can be more than just painful; the condition can also cause you to limit your activity, threatening your overall health and wellness. At Natural Wonders Healthcare in West Covina, California, Dr. Atil Narayan and his staff work with many men and women to combat sciatica. To learn more about the available treatment options, schedule an appointment today. Book your visit any time by phone.

Sciatica

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a painful condition that occurs due to nerve compression. Your sciatic nerve is the longest single nerve in your body, running from your lower back down through your hips and buttocks and down your legs.

If anything places pressure on your sciatic nerve, symptoms will appear. One of the more common causes is a bulging or herniated disc in the lower portion of your spine. Occupations that require extensive time standing in one position or sitting at a desk can also lead to sciatica.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Unlike many other types of pain, sciatica is fairly easy to diagnose. The primary symptom of sciatica is pain that originates in your lower back and radiates down the buttock and the back of the leg. Sciatica usually only affects one side of the body.

Additional symptoms include:

Numbness
Tingling
Sensation of muscle weakness

Sciatica pain can range from mild to severe and can feel like a sharp burning or a dull ache. You may notice your symptoms worsening after a period of prolonged sitting, or when you cough or sneeze.

How is sciatica treated?

Dr. Narayan and his staff offer multiple treatments that can improve your sciatica pain. Acupuncture is a great place to begin and can increase circulation and relax muscles in your lower back and legs. Acupuncture also releases a flow of endorphins and enkephalins, which act as natural painkillers.

Another treatment option is called microcurrent therapy and uses low levels of electrical current to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your tissues already have specific electrical frequencies, and when they’re disrupted, significant pain can occur.

Microcurrent therapy works to restore normal electrical frequencies in the targeted tissues. The process also helps your body synthesize proteins, thus prompting faster healing. You may even notice an increase in your overall energy levels.

Targeted stretching and lifestyle modifications can enhance any treatment for sciatica. By altering the way you use your body every day, you can make meaningful changes that will improve your health, protect against future injury, and strengthen your body.

To explore these and other treatment paths, book a visit with Dr. Narayan and his staff.  They will conduct a thorough exam and health review before discussing all available options, giving you the details needed to make an informed decision about your care.