TREATMENT OF

SCIATICA

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The Jacksonville chiropractor group, Schilsky Chiropractic Center, has seen it’s fair share of low back injuries. With over 20 years of experience they have seen it all! One of the most common reasons that individuals walk through the doors is due to sciatica. Sciatica is a nerve problem that affects the lower extremities. Chiropractic care has been shown as an effective treatment against sciatica pain. Your chiropractor at Schilsky Chiropractic may be able to give you immediate relief from your sciatica symptoms.

Schilsky Chiropractic is here to help you in every way!

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

Sciatica is a severe pain in the leg caused by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerves are the largest and longest nerves in the body, reaching about the size of your thumb in diameter, and running down the back of each leg. Each sciatic nerve is composed of five smaller nerves that leave the spinal cord from the lower spinal column, join together and then travel down each leg. It then divides into many smaller nerves that travel to the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, foot and toes. When these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation of nearby soft tissues, doctors refer to this as sciatica.

Symptoms of Sciatica

People with “sciatica” can suffer from a wide range of symptoms. Often the pain will come and go. At times, it may be constant, but then it may subside for hours or days. Some people may feel only a dull ache or numbness, which travels down the back into the upper leg. For others, it may be intense “shooting pains” down the leg into the foot and toes.

Many factors affect the pain of sciatica. Sitting in one position for long periods of time as when driving or working at a computer can increase the pain. Working out or running, or even simple things like walking, bending, turning or standing up may be difficult and painful. Tennis or golf and other twisting activities can cause sciatica pain to flare up. For some, the pain may be in both legs or change from side to side. For a number of others, back pain may occur before the sciatica itself. In the most severe cases, sciatica can damage reflexes, or even cause a wasting of the calf muscle.

Spinal diagram

1 Sciatic Nerve (yellow)
2 Sacrum
3 Hip Bone

Yellow = Nerve Structures
Red Structures = Arteries
Blue Structures = Veins

 

CAUSES OF SCIATICA

Because the sciatic nerve is so long, irritation can occur at many points. The first place is the lower back. Commonly, a misalignment of one or more of the lumbar vertebra causing pressure on the nerve is responsible.

This condition is known as a subluxation, one underlying cause of sciatica as well as other health problems.

Another source of sciatica can be disc involvement. Discs are the cartilage-like cushions occupying the spaces between vertebra. Serving as spinal shock absorbers, they allow the back to turn and bend normally. Trauma or injury from car accidents or falls can cause a disc to bulge to one side resulting in what many people call a “slipped disc.” The proper term is disc herniation.

Sciatica has also been linked to various non-spinal conditions. Arthritis, advanced diabetes, tumors, constipation, and even vitamin deficiencies have been reported as causes.

Finally, degeneration of the spine resulting from long-standing or neglected back problems can also irritate the sciatic nerve. Cases of sciatica have even been reported following childbirth, usually due to pressure on the spine.

TREATMENT FOR SCIATICA

A comprehensive medical approach to sciatic nerve treatment involves treating the symptoms and underlying cause. This may include using painkillers, muscle relaxers or anti-inflammatory drugs. Traction, physical therapy or injections directly into the nerve roots may also be used. In severe cases, even surgery may be tried.

It is not uncommon for individuals to try medication as the first option for their sciatica treatment. Medications can cause an individual to become reliant on it. Give an all natural and holistic approach a shot before you decide on taking medication. The chiropractic approach to the treatment of sciatica is to first find the root cause of the nerve pain. A chiropractor will then focus on relieving the pressure that is causing the sciatic pain. By correcting the source of the problem, the body can heal naturally without nerve interference. Sciatica, like other health conditions that can be traced to the spine, often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spinal function through chiropractic care.

Your chiropractor’s methods will vary according to the specific source of sciatica in each case. First, a complete history is taken to determine when the problem first appeared and possible sources. Next, a complete physical and chiropractic exam is performed, and x-rays may be taken. These tests are reviewed and discussed with you along with recommendations and treatment.

Treatment will vary according to the severity of the condition. With most patients, a series of adjustments to move the related vertebra back to a more normal position is helpful to reduce the pressure of the nerve. In some cases, the use of ultrasound and ice is needed. Massage therapy to reduce the pain related to muscle spasms is frequently helpful. Combining adjustments with physical therapy has proven very successful in treating most sciatica.

IF YOU EXPERIENCE ANY OF THESE SYMPTOMS, PLAY IT SAFE AND GET A CHIROPRACTIC CHECK UP IMMEDIATELY.

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Why Patients LOVE SCC

Contact Us Today

CALL: (910) 347-4033

FAX: (910) 347-0854

LOCATION:
Western Blvd Ext
312 Dolphin Drive
Jacksonville, NC 28546

OFFICE HOURS: 

Monday

7:30am - 12:30pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Tuesday

2:00pm - 6:00pm

Wednesday

8:00am - 12:30pm & 2:00pm - 6:00pm

Thursday

8:00am - 12:30pm

Friday

7:30am - 12:30pm

Saturday

8:00am - 12:30pm – first Saturday of each month

Sunday

Closed

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