Chiropractic provides excellent treatment for patients with sciatica. In our clinic we will direct the adjustments and therapies on the correct areas to provide relief and get to the cause of the problem.
SCIATICA
Sciatica is a term commonly used for the symptoms that can come from nerve irritation into the legs. These symptoms may include pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness. This term is more of a description of the symptoms and not really a full on diagnosis. The actual diagnosis for those experiencing these kind of symptoms depends on where the nerves are affected and what is causing the problem.
TWO COMMON PLACES FOR PROBLEMS
Nerves that exit the spinal cord in the lower spine are called lumbar and sacral nerve roots. When the discs between the vertebrae are bulging or herniated they can press onto the spinal cord directly or onto these nerve roots. Other times it might be bone or a growth on the bone that presses on the nerves. Pressure from any source can create many symptoms, including those described above as sciatica. Some diagnoses for these problems are lumbar radiculopathy, spondylosis, disc derangement, and spinal stenosis.
A few of these nerves coming from the lower spinal cord converge around the area of the buttock and then continue down the leg as the “sciatic nerve”. Pressure directly on the sciatic nerve can come from irritated muscles at the buttock or thigh, or other conditions like inflammation. In some people the sciatic nerve passes through the middle of the piriformis muscle in the buttock region, so tightness here quickly irritates the nerve. Diagnoses may include peripheral neuropathy, neuritis, and piriformis syndrome.
It should be noted here that certain types of diabetes can affect both the sciatic nerve and the nerve roots. Sometimes having symptoms in the legs is the first sign of diabetes and a good reason to have a professional examination.
CHIROPRACTIC TREATMENT TO RELIEVE YOUR PAINS
The adjustments of a chiropractor (also called spinal manipulations) are applied to the joints that are involved in your condition to restore proper movement and reduce pressure on the injured nerves. Improved movement can encourage better hydration of the intervertebral discs and relieve muscle tightness. Chiropractic treatment can also reduce your pains and stabilize your body to prevent further injury.
Some Other Conditions Treated At Favero Chiropractic