Find
Relief from Sciatica Pain
If you're currently living
with the symptoms of sciatica, you are well aware of how painful and
frustrating this condition can be, but you may be surprised to learn that
chiropractic care is typically the most effective treatment for this type of
affliction. To illustrate this, here we will discuss the condition known as
sciatica in a bit more detail, including a list of some of the more common
symptoms and potential causes, followed by a brief glimpse at the various
chiropractic treatment strategies that have consistently proven effective in alleviating sciatica pain.
Sciatica
Symptoms
The sciatic nerve is both
the largest and the longest nerve in the human body. Beginning at the base of
the spinal column near the pelvis, the sciatic nerve runs down each leg, with
five smaller nerves that branch off into the thigh, knee, calf, ankle and foot.
Sciatica occurs when any part of this nerve system becomes compressed,
irritated or inflamed, and is characterized most frequently by pain, numbness
and muscle weakness in the hip, buttock, leg, calf and foot.
Although for most patients
the pain, numbness and muscle weakness associated with sciatica will ultimately
localize in the hip, buttocks and thigh, it is usually preceded by a few weeks
of constant or intermittent pain in the lower back. Over time, however, most
people report that leg pain from their sciatica is more intense than the back
pain, presenting as either a dull, consistent ache, or a sharp shooting pain
that may travel all the way down to the feet and toes. Sciatica pain can last
for several days, weeks, or even years if left untreated. In some of the more
prolonged and serious cases, sciatica can cause damage to nerves and reflexes,
bring about parasthesia (a tingling, pricking sensation), weaken bladder
function and even cause muscle deterioration in the legs.
Sciatica
Causes
The most common cause of
sciatica is a lower spine that is subluxated (misaligned). This slight
subluxation causes the root of the sciatic nerve to become pinched, damaged and
irritated which puts a great deal of pressure on the nerve and causes pain.
Sciatica can also be caused
by a flawed pelvic alignment, causing the sciatic nerve to become pinched as it
passes through the buttocks, or from a bulged or herniated spinal disc caused
by some type of trauma (a fall, accident, etc.). Other potential, yet slightly
less common causes for sciatica include:
• Arthritis
• Tumors
• Diabetes
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Degenerative spinal conditions that cause long-term stress on the lower back
• Tumors
• Diabetes
• Vitamin deficiencies
• Degenerative spinal conditions that cause long-term stress on the lower back
Sciatica
and Chiropractic Care
The intensity of symptoms
from sciatica can range from problematic, with pain that causes a minor
disruption in one's life, to downright debilitating in some of the more serious
cases. And unfortunately, many who suffer from sciatica will wait until the
pain is unbearable before they seek treatment. This is a big mistake, as
waiting too long could result in long-term or even permanent damage. Seeking
chiropractic care at the first sign of sciatica pain is always your best course
of action.
Chiropractic treatment
begins with a medical history to discuss the nature and severity of your symptoms,
their onset, and any potential causes. You will then undergo a thorough
physical and chiropractic exam; which will typically include x-rays, orthopedic
and neurological test, followed by a recommendation on the best course of treatment.
As mentioned above, the two
most common causes of sciatica are a misalignment of either the spine or the
pelvis, which causes pressure or a blockage on the sciatic nerve. By
pinpointing the problem site, your chiropractor can perform manual adjustments
that will both free the nerve and correct your spinal alignment. Collectively,
these adjustments are designed to correct any miss alignments that are pinching
the sciatic nerve, and in turn, causing you pain, numbness and weakness in the
affected area.
In addition to these manual
spinal adjustments-chiropractors will also employ techniques such as massage
therapy, designed to reduce the intensity of muscle spasms in the affected
area, as well as traction and ice to help alleviate lingering sciatica symptoms.
Using the services of a
chiropractor is perhaps the fastest method available for relieving sciatica
pain and restoring functionality. Instead of traditional treatments that
usually involve expensive and often addictive pain medications-medications that
can be extremely harmful when used long-term-chiropractic care offers a more
proactive approach that is not only safer and more effective, but more
affordable as well.
