This post is about Sciatica: A Chiropractic Center Can Provide Relief. Symptoms include mid-buttock pain that radiates down the leg, most often unilaterally (one side). You will often experience an abnormal sensation such as numbness or parethesia (pins and needles). You may also have weakness in the leg effected.
If you have Sciatica, Chiropractic can provide relief! We’ve got some great information to share below.
What is Sciatica?
Firstly, the sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. Sciatic nerves originate from several nerves in your lower back. These nerves branch outward from the spine and then come together at each buttock to form the sciatic nerve, which then radiates down each leg.
Secondly, the word “sciatic” is defined as relating to the hip or ischium or to any structure in its vicinity, as the sciatic nerve. The ischium is a paired bone (one on each side) of the pelvis that forms the lower and back part of the hip bone(s).
Thirdly, sciatica is defined as irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve that causes pain in the buttock area with radiation to the lower leg. It is a condition characterized by pain along the course of the sciatic nerve. This is usually a neuritis (inflammation of a nerve) and generally caused by mechanical compression or irritation of the lumbar and sacral spinal nerve roots.
Fourthly, many cases have a spinal cause, such as disc herniation/bulge causing impingement of L5 or S1 nerve roots. Other common causes include spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease (wear and tear arthritis/osteoarthritis), and spondylolisthesis. There are also other causes of sciatica, which are less common. These include piriformis syndrome, trauma, post-operative complications, gynecologic conditions, and herpes zoster (shingles).
Some Causes of Sciatica
This occurs usually between the ages of 30 and 50. This age range is due in part to the fact that the disc’s nucleus pulposus (central, softer jelly like inner part of disc) dehydrates with aging, leaving little to herniate. Low back pain with radiation in the leg(s) which travels below the knee is a symptom. Paresthesia or numbness is more commonly found with disc herniations especially in the foot or ankle area.
You may have had a twisting injury accompanied by immediate leg pain. The leg pain is often more of a concern than the back pain. Moreover, pain is often worse with sitting (due to increased disc pressure) and less with standing or walking. In the past, you may have a history of recurrent episodes of back pain without leg pain.
The 50 year old and above with leg pain is more likely to have sciatica due to stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal). You may have more difficulty with walking or standing because of the compressive effect created by the loading of the posterior (back of) spine where most of the stenosis occurs. Leg pain from spinal stenosis called neurogenic claudication usually occurs with walking and is relieved with rest.
So neurogenic claudication is secondary (due) to spinal stenosis. In other words, neurogenic claudication is usually caused by spinal stenosis in the lumbar spine (lower back). This narrowing of the spinal canal is generally caused by wear and tear arthritic changes in the lower spine.
If you have back pain due to sciatica and chiropractic care is your choice, surgery may be avoided.
Dr. Natalie Meiri will examine you and come up with a treatment plan to get you better. Through regular visits, you can get pain relief and improve your back health with chiropractic manipulative treatments without surgery.
“Softer” approaches involving “no rotation” chiropractic manipulative treatments such as flexion-distraction, blocking, and prone (patient face down) drop-table adjusting are available. Meiri Chiropractic’s technique is to manipulate at sites other than the herniation and unstable areas. Our other therapies, such as soft tissue techniques, therapeutic exercise, electric muscle stimulation, ice/ heat therapies and homeopathic consultations, may also provide some relief for your pain.
Call our office which serves West Palm Beach, Jupiter, Palm Beach Gardens and North Palm Beach. Ask to make an appointment or ask about Sciatica: A Chiropractic Center Can Provide Relief at 561-253-8984.