Are you wondering if your back pain could be sciatica?
Unfortunately, sciatica is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It manifests as pain, a dull ache, numbness, tingling, and even weakness radiating from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg.
These symptoms can significantly impact daily activities and overall quality of life. Fortunately, chiropractic care combined with Neurodynamics (think flossing your teeth) and proper rehab exercises offer a noninvasive and effective solution for managing and alleviating sciatica.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body, becomes irritated or compressed. This is often called a "Crush" injury and can happen at the soft tissue or bone/joint level. If both occur, then we have a "double crush injury. Proper evaluation allows for this to be determined, and you won't catch this always via imaging or at your traditional office.
This nerve runs from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down each leg. Common causes can include herniated or bulging discs, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome (a type of nerve entrapment), and muscle spasms. These conditions can lead to pressure on the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain and discomfort.
You don't need to let this dictate your future, guard all your movements, or never have fun again.
How Chiropractic Treatments Help
Spinal Alignment
Chiropractic treatments focus on manipulating or adjusting the spine to address a Lumbar or lower back area restriction. Thus, they relieve some pressure on the joints, decrease muscle spasms, and potentially alleviate "tension" on the sciatic nerve. Proper spinal alignment ensures that the body functions optimally, reducing the likelihood of nerve compression.
Summit Sports and Spine is different in that we use Neurodynamics and McKenzie Techniques to assess and determine the root cause of your discomfort. We use specific Motion Palpation to choose the best line of drive or "adjustment" for this...or maybe to "not adjust" and let your rehab do the work needed.
When we can create this functional knowledge base, the patients who show a directional preference with centralization at their intake visit have better functional status and less pain compared to people whose symptoms neither centralized nor a directional preference was found.
Do you need X-rays and an MRI? No, not necessarily or maybe even anytime soon. If your symptoms improve from the movement and exercises prescribed, then let's continue that path and work to progress from there. If you do have an Xray or MRI, we're happy to look at them and make decisions based on your EXAM and movement and consider what is in the image from that "moment" in time.
Reduction of Inflammation
Misalignments in the spine can lead to inflammation and muscle tension around the affected area. This is due to the nerve again driving this tension. We can reduce irritation by addressing that nerve gliding and sliding. We then have a greater likelihood of success.
This could involve Spinal Decompression, a safe and comfortable way to reduce muscle spasms, improve "imbibement," a pumping mechanism to the disc, and help it rehydrate.
We could utilize Dry needling or Class IV Laser therapy to help reduce the inflammation.
Chiropractic care can again help in providing relief from pain and discomfort.
Exercises from Nerve glides (remember flossing your teeth) and McKenzie-based exercises combined with trunk stability will help you address the area injured post-baby, lifting injury, or just sitting at a desk that caused this in the first place.
It's a complex problem, but we will assess hip mobility, foot strength, or other compensations you've developed over the years. We then focus on those key links to help you be Empowered as a patient and start the Recovery process to get back to Performance.
Nerve Function
By improving spinal alignment and doing your rehab, chiropractic treatments enhance nerve function, leading to better overall health and well-being. When you leave our office, you'll know to address your condition, take charge of it, and have better function. Nerve pain will diminish when you reduce inflammation, move better, and get stronger. You'll get back to doing what you love in life again.
Suppose a flare-up occurs (and you know they do or can); you know how to address it. If those prior exercises aren't helping, we're here to help to re-diagnose what's going on. Maybe you need soft tissue care or an occasional adjustment "as needed" to get things moving in the right direction.
Customized Care
We know how important each of you is! We assess each patient's unique condition and create tailored treatment plans, ensuring effective care for specific needs and better outcomes. This will allow you to trust the process and put in the work to help yourself get better while guided by what we know works for you individually.
What You Can Do About It
Seek Professional Help: If you are experiencing sciatica symptoms, consult a licensed chiropractor for a thorough evaluation and personalized treatment plan. Seek one who offers more than just adjustments. Look for those who continue to follow the research and treatment methods that get results.
Early intervention can prevent the condition from worsening and provide quicker relief!
Stay Active: Engage in low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or yoga (maybe...remember that topic of "directional preference") to maintain mobility, strengthen muscles, and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Proper Posture: Maintain good posture while sitting, standing, and sleeping to reduce strain on the lower back. Use supportive chairs and ergonomic furniture to help if necessary.
Ergonomic Adjustments: Adjust your workspace to promote a healthy posture. Ensure your desk, chair, and computer support your spine and reduce strain. Get up to move frequently from those positions as "micro-breaks" during your day.
Stretching: Incorporate regular stretching routines into your daily activities. Stretching helps keep muscles flexible and reduces tension, alleviating pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Follow Through: Adhere to your treatment plan provided by your Chiropractor, Dr. Perkins. This plan may include at-home exercises, lifestyle adjustments, and rehab-based chiropractic visits as needed to ensure optimal results.
Chiropractic care offers a safe, non-invasive, and effective solution for managing sciatica.
Chiropractic treatments can address the root causes of sciatic nerve compression, providing significant pain relief, improving mobility, and preventing chronic pain.
If you are experiencing sciatica symptoms, consider scheduling a consultation with a chiropractor to explore personalized care options and take proactive steps in managing your condition.
The content in this blog is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your doctor or a qualified healthcare provider before trying new healthcare protocols.
