A sciatic flare-up can be really painful. Left untreated, it can lead to even worse problems. But just what is a sciatic flare-up?
The sciatic nerves are the largest and longest nerves of the body. Running down each leg, they are about the size of a thumb in diameter. Irritation of these nerves by inflammation of soft tissues is referred to as "sciatica."
One of the most common causes of sciatic leg pain is a subluxation, or in simpler terms, a bone out of place pinching the sciatic nerve. At the same location of the subluxation there may be a bulging or herniation of the soft pulpy discs which separate each spinal bone. This can irritate, pinch or choke the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord, resulting in sharp pain shooting down either or both legs. The causes of this misalignment that creates the pinched nerve may be chemical, physical or the emotional stress of everyday living.
Pain is caused when the sciatic nerve roots are irritated, scraped, twisted, stretched or pinched as they exit the spine. A full-blown sciatic flare-up can involve the entire sciatic nerve path, resulting in:
- Lower back pain
- Leg Burning
- Leg Cramping
- Numbness that travels into the thighs, legs, ankles, feet and toes
- Pain to any and all points down the nerve, such as the hip, knee or foot.
Chiropractors can identify the specific misaligned vertebrae causing sciatic pain using their skilled hands, x-ray, range of motion tests and equipment. Through the use of gentle specific spinal adjustments they remove the pressure off the pinched nerve. This will then correct the underlying causes of sciatica.
Chiropractors will also recommend care after the pain is gone. Just as a tooth can start to decay long before there is a tooth ache, the spinal column can have a problem long before pain occurs. The consequence is that permanent damage to the musculoskeletal system may have already occurred by the time an individual begins to feel pain or numbness. It is important to continue chiropractic care to maintain the spine's healthy condition.
While other treatments have involved pain medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy and even surgery, chiropractic treatment is designed to use directed and controlled spinal adjustments to remove the nerve pressure from misaligned spinal structures. These adjustments are so gentle they can be performed on a newborn baby.
Chiropractic adjustments are highly effective in reducing nerve irritation and its associated pain. Sciatica, like other health problems that can be traced to the spine, often responds dramatically to the restoration of normal spine function through chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is not only gentle; it is also a preferable alternative over painful surgery or the use of medications that may cause side-effects.
Using pain medication to treat sciatica is dangerous for two reasons. First it may provide short term relief of pain but the source of the problem is not corrected and the injury becomes more inflamed and difficult to treat. Second, certain ingredients in pain medication put stress on the stomach, the kidneys and the liver. Over time, medication can cause problems with these organs and the sciatica pain is still there.
As with any treatment, chiropractic adjusting techniques are modified based on an individual's size, weight, and unique spinal problems. Recommended treatments may include specific spinal adjustments, recommendations on exercise, nutritional advice or other conservative methods of care based on health history, age, and lifestyle.
Dr. Hans treats sciatic pain at his Fremont chiropractic care center. He can be reached at 510-797-4796 for any questions. Also visit Dr. Hans' website at http://www.mydiscoverchiropractic.com for free health information and pain prevention tips.
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