Sciatica - Chiropractic Relief For That Radiating Leg Pain

If you have low back pain that radiates down the legs, chances are you are suffering from sciatica. Sciatica is pain that is felt in the lower back or buttocks that travels to one or both legs. The main culprit, the sciatic nerve, is somehow compressed, which then causes this referred pain. The pain that is involved in sciatica is described to be dull, achy, sharp and/or needle-like, and is often described as getting shocked with a low voltage of electricity. It is a misconception to call it a disorder since this problem is just a symptom of an underlying condition like subluxulation, herniated disc, pregnancy, child birth, tumor, or other non-spinal disorder such as sitting on a wallet for a long time.

There are also trivial things or events that can cause sciatica. It can result from a sudden trauma, such as a strenuous attempt to lift, a jolt of a violent sneeze or cough, or a sudden rotational movement, which can actually be the result of repetitive and cumulative effects of small traumas.

Since there are many causes of sciatica, there is no one-size-fits-all chiropractic method that can be used to treat sciatica. What a chiropractor needs to do is to know what is causing the sciatica on the patient first. Assessment can be done by means of reviewing the patient's medical history, physical and neurological examinations, X-Ray, MRI, CT scan or other electrodiagnostics tests. This is important so the chiropractor will know how to approach and treat the sciatica.

When it comes to sciatica, the purpose of the chiropractic treatment is to allow the body to heal on its own. Basically, it involves optimizing the movement range of the lower buttocks area so that it can function better and take pressure off of the sciatic nerve.

Since the main part of the body that will be treated is the sciatic nerve, then the chiropractic therapy can also include other treatment plans to help speed up the healing process. There are actually three (3) treatment plans that are included in treating sciatica by means of chiropractic treatment.

The first one is ice or cold therapy that uses cold packs to reduce inflammation on the sciatic nerve. It also alleviates the sciatic pain from being too bothersome. Another treatment is the use of ultrasound. The ultrasound creates sound waves that go into the deep tissues. This helps encourage the blood circulation in the area, thereby reducing cramps, spasms, swelling, stiffness and pain. The third one is the use of electrical muscle stimulation, which is the use of low electrical currents to help reduce muscle spasms and relax the muscles surrounding the sciatic nerve. The last among the treatment plans is the use of spinal manipulation, which corrects the alignment of the spine and pelvis. Spinal adjustments particularly in the lumbar region reduce the irritability of the nerve that is often the cause of inflammation, muscle pain and other symptoms related to sciatica.

Since it has been raised earlier that sciatica is just a symptom of an underlying problem, then treating it has its own limitations. For one, if the chiropractic doctor notices that the patient should be examined by another doctor first, then the chiropractic treatment will be postponed for some time until the problem has been fixed by the other doctor.

Sciatica symptoms can be greatly reduced by chiropractic care. Taking pain medication for sciatica only masks the underlying problems. Additionally, many times pain medication is not effective for the severe pain experienced, or the pain medication becomes ineffective with time. Chiropractic care is a natural approach to fixing the source of the problem. Take a chance on chiropractic care, and gain the ability to discontinue reliance on pain medication, and get rid of the pain that hinders your life.

Risks Involved With Seeing a Chiropractor

There are literally hundreds of thousands of individuals who will swear by the benefits they have received from chiropractic care. Side effects from chiropractic manipulation are very rare and overall patient satisfaction has always seemed to be very high. But, like any medical or therapeutic procedure, side effects are possible and it is not without some level of risk. For the vast majority of patients a trip to the chiropractor leaves them feeling refreshed and better than ever, the most common side effects are some mild discomfort in the treatment area. For most patients this discomfort does not last more than 24 hours.

The most dangerous side effect from chiropractic treatment is that of stroke after receiving cervical manipulation. While there is some anecdotal evidence to support the idea that these rare occurrences are a direct result of a chiropractic visit, it is hard to find empirical evidence showing a direct correlation between the chiropractic treatment and the resulting stroke or carotid artery dissection. While the studies seem to indicate that an individual is just as likely to suffer from a stroke during their everyday activities as they are to suffer from one as a result from a visit to the chiropractor, it is worth being aware of.

There is some evidence to support the idea that the arteries in the neck undergo a good deal of strain during chiropractic treatment. While this may not be surprising to anyone who has ever had their neck manipulated by a chiropractor, it does not necessarily mean that any long-term damage is caused by these treatments. As with any medical or therapeutic procedure, it is always advised that you go to a highly qualified professional. You can greatly reduce any of risk for injury if you make sure that the individual you are going to is qualified and comes highly recommended by your friends or family.

The risk for injury or side effects is an unfortunate part of virtually every aspect of medical treatment. The overwhelming majority of individuals have a greater risk of experiencing a serious side effect from over the counter pain killers than from a visit to a chiropractor's office. If you are unsure of whether or not you are healthy enough to undergo a chiropractic manipulation, you should discuss the matter with your family doctor and see if there are perhaps other treatment options that would be better suited for your particular needs.

How to Find a Good Family Chiropractor Doctor

A chiropractic center for back and neck pain management might have been unknown a few years ago. Yet these centers are becoming more and more popular in the United States and world over. And here are some reasons why:

• Over 31 million Americans suffer regular back pain


• Over 80% of the American population will at some point in their lives complain of back pain.


• Currently, over $60 billion is spent on finding back pain relief.


• Back pain is the leading cause of workforce absenteeism.

So why chiropractic care?

As a health treatment, it dates back to 1895, but in actuality, we have records of Herodotus, a contemporary of Hippocrates, using therapeutic spinal manipulation to correct spinal abnormalities. It was Daniel David Palmer who however made chiropractic treatment available to modern man. He used what he called 'hand treatments' to adjust the spine and bring relief to those suffering from migraines, stomach complaints, and even epilepsy and flu. He coined the term Chiropractic, which stems from the Greek words, Chiro or hand and Practic or practice.

Today, chiropractic adjustment is a recognized form of alternative healthcare option and is popular as a pain relief treatment. Accordingly to a 2007 study, 6% to 12% of the US population seeks chiropractic treatment and the numbers are growing.

When looking for a chiropractor, a good idea is to ask your doctor or friends and family members if they can refer someone. You need to find an experienced practitioner who can deal with a variety of conditions. A family chiropractor can treat the entire family effectively, including children.

While recommendations are a good idea, ask questions about meeting your specific needs. This is all the more important if you are pregnant or suffer from a particularly chronic and debilitating condition like diabetes or a heart ailment.

You can conduct an interview or visit the practitioner's website to get a better understanding of the treatment sessions he or she offers. You might also want to prepare a list of questions to ask, and these could include;

• Which treatment techniques do you offer?


• Do you use your hands, instruments, or a combination of both?


• How long have you been practicing or what is your experience in treating this particular kind of problem?

You might also want an estimate as to the number of treatment sessions, though most experienced practitioners will be able to provide this only once they have met with you.

Chiropractic Care For Fibromyalgia Patients

The chronic pain and fatigue associate with fibromyalgia is debilitating and sufferers often are at a loss for treatment options, but chiropractic treatment may be an alternative that can offer relief. This type of medicine is based on the belief that most bodily pain is caused by misalignment of the spine; chiropractors believe that all movement of all bones, muscle, joints, etc. can be connected to skeletal balance or lack of balance, and even though this kind of treatment is considered alternative and the theory that all pain is caused by these misalignments is contested by many, there is truth that chiropractic treatment is helping fibromyalgia sufferers immensely.

Those who have this progressive disease not only suffer from the associated chronic pain but they also suffer from lack of treatment for the pain and contributing symptoms. Medications seem to fall short of curbing the pain, and alternative treatment such as massage or physical therapy seem to acerbate the symptoms as the disease does not cause pain, rather, the disease is pain.

A recently move toward chiropractic care for patients with this auto immune disease has been met with controversial opinions, but the truth remains that the treatment helps the patient, and for fibromyalgia sufferers, any relief is relief worth seeking. The argument as to whether central nervous system imbalances are causing the pain is irrelevant as is the argument that this practice is just treating the symptoms. For those who have the illness or know someone who does, it is accepted that any relief that can be obtained is worth the controversy and is time and money well spent.

A technique call manipulation, an adjustment of the vertebrae causing bones to shift into proper place, is often used to treat patients, and the satisfaction with the effects of the treatment are rated very high among recipients. Some of the benefits include better range of motion, increased blood flow which promotes healing, increased production of the endorphins, better pain tolerance, and a better quality of sleep.

As with any and all medical treatments there are risks associated with the use of chiropractic care for fibromyalgia patients, and a patient should be familiar with all of the risks in order to make an informed decision concerning choosing the alternative treatment for the relief of symptoms related to the debilitating disease. Working the insurance circuit may be a feat considering that the medical theory of this care is often considered alternative, but for those who suffer from that associated pains, the cost may be minimal in comparison.

Chiropractors Treat Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is an often misunderstood condition which is characterized by symptoms in the hand such as pain and numbness. It can be very disabling, preventing many from being able to work. It is the most common nerve problem which affects the hands and can happen to anyone. To deal with this condition, many resort to invasive procedures such as surgery or injections which can have harmful side effects. Few realize that chiropractic is an excellent treatment option for carpal tunnel syndrome and often corrects the cause of the problem.

In order to understand how chiropractic can help with carpal tunnel syndrome it is important to know what the carpal tunnel is and the structures around it. The carpal tunnel is a small tunnel located inside the wrist. The top of the tunnel is formed by the alignment of the carpal (wrist) bones and the bottom is formed by the transverse ligament. There are nine tendons along with the median nerve which pass through the carpal tunnel. The symptoms of CTS are caused from the median nerve being irritated. The nerve can become inflamed and swollen causing pressure within the carpal tunnel.

The median nerve originates in the neck and travels under the collar bone, then passes down the arm. Finally, it passes through the carpal tunnel and to the hand muscles. The median nerve controls motor and sensory function to part of the hand. Pressure on the median nerve results in a disruption of signals from the brain to the hand which are relayed through the median nerve. If correction is not made to the median nerve, permanent problems can result. These can include partial or complete loss of movement, strength and sensation of the hand.

Some of the warning signs that may be related to carpal tunnel syndrome are numbness, tingling or weakness of the hands, neck tightness, swelling of the hands, abnormal sensation and clumsiness with use of the hands. Because the median nerve originates from the neck, it may become compressed anywhere along the course of its path. Misaligned bones of the neck, tight muscles of the neck, shoulder problems, cervical (neck) ribs, inflamed tendons and misaligned carpal (wrist) bones can all result in compressing the median nerve. This results in the symptoms associated with CTS.

Sometimes the median nerve can be compressed in both the neck and wrist, this condition is called "double crush syndrome." Double crush syndrome results in similar symptoms to carpal tunnel syndrome which is a reason for the failure of wrist only surgeries for treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

There are several causes of carpal tunnel syndrome. Occasionally it is congenital or with you from birth. It is usually caused from poor posture or ergonomics, repetitive movements done improperly over time, slips or falls, awkward hand positions from playing sports and work or hobbies such as bowling or racquetball. Pregnancy, birth control pills, diets that are high in salt and systemic diseases like diabetes can also contribute to the problem.

Incorrect posture while sitting at the computer can contribute to the cause of carpal tunnel syndrome. There is a tendency to sit with the shoulders rolled forward and the head thrust forward. This can cause misaligned bones in the neck, resulting in irritation of the nerves that form the median nerve. This can cause referred pain, numbness or tingling in the hand. Maintaining good posture while sitting can help to the problem. This should include sitting upright with the shoulders relaxed and the head upright over the shoulders. The wrists should be in a neutral position and you should avoid continuously flexing or extending the wrists. The computer screen should be set at eye level and straight ahead to avoid continuously turning the neck.

Chiropractic can very effective in preventing carpal tunnel syndrome and treating it once it has developed. Chiropractic treatment directly releases pressure from the nerves by correcting misaligned bones. CTS may result from misaligned bones in the neck or wrist. Chiropractors have extensive education in dealing with the nervous system and muscular problems in the body. A Chiropractor can perform an X-ray, wrist and hand evaluation to determine the extent of the injury. Based on the result, the chiropractor will recommend a treatment plan which may include chiropractic adjustments to work on the misaligned bones and therapy to work on inflammation or injury to the soft tissue, such as ligaments and muscles. Research has shown chiropractic to be just as effective as medical treatment in helping with carpal tunnel syndrome. Chiropractic is a good alternative because it is natural and does not have the complications and side effects which are often found with medical treatment.

Treating Back and Neck Pain With Disc Decompression Therapy

Chronic back and neck pain affects millions of people. Most people resort to medications to handle their symptoms and if the pain and dysfunction are severe enough, they undergo surgery. Yet, medications only mask the symptoms and do nothing to address the cause of the pain; surgery comes at a big expense, both financially and physically, considering surgery-related risks and far from excellent success rates.

Disc decompression therapy is a nonsurgical therapy that has been shown to effectively reduce neck and back pain and associated radicular pain into the leg, buttock, or arms to name a few examples. A study in Neurological Research found that 92% of the study participants who received spinal decompression therapy showed improvement (Neurological Research; Volume 20, Number 3, April 1998).

Disc decompression therapy is an appropriate and effective therapy for patients suffering from chronic low back and neck pain including:

• Herniated or bulging discs


• Degenerative discs


• Sciatica


• Facet syndrome


• Spinal Stenosis

Chiropractic care with disc decompression therapy can help many people avoid surgery and return to pain-free, healthy functioning lives. Chiropractors focus on the biomechanics of the body as a whole and work to address and correct the root cause of a patient's pain. With disc decompression therapy, a specifically trained chiropractor can provide pain relief and also serve to prevent future problems from surfacing.

How does disc decompression therapy work? In a nutshell, discs are avascular structures, which means they do not receive new blood and oxygen with every heartbeat. Thus, a damaged disc needs extra help to restore nutrients and enhance healing. A spinal decompression table provides the precise motion and decompression needed to repair and heal damage to discs and surrounding nerves. The procedure requires a carefully timed cycle under the care of a licensed medical professional such as a chiropractor to create a vacuum effect within the spine. Ultimately this vacuum effect can pull a herniated or bulging disc back into alignment while at the same time stimulating the blood supply within the disc to promote healing.

A disc decompression program should be part of a comprehensive chiropractic plan of care for optimal results. Additional chiropractic care may include spinal manipulations, physiotherapies, and rehabilitative exercises. A single disc decompression session lasts about 15-25 minutes. On average, 12 to 24 treatment sessions are recommended to achieve maximum healing results. Sessions are generally scheduled two to three times a week until all objective have been completed.

If you have chronic low back or neck pain visit a chiropractor for an initial assessment to determine if disc decompression therapy is appropriate for you.

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help a Herniated Disc?

What is a Herniated Disc?

People who suffer from back pain, leg pain, excessive weakness in the legs, and abnormal functions of the lower extremities are often diagnosed with a herniated disc. The question is - exactly what is a herniated disc, and how is it determined if this is causing the symptoms?

An intervertebral disc is made up of an outer, fibrous ring, and a central soft portion. The disc itself receives nourishment through the motion of the vertebrae above and below it moving and "squishing" the blood and fluids through the disc. If this movement does not occur, the outer ring can dry and tear which allows the soft portion of the disc to bulge out. This is what is commonly known as a herniated disc. (Also called a slipped disc, bulging disc, disc protrusion, etc.)

Not all herniated discs cause pain or discomfort. It is when the bulge puts pressure on the exiting spinal nerve that pain, or an inflammatory reaction, will occur. It is therefore very important to have a full understanding of what is causing the pain.

What is Subluxation?

Another term important to understand in the diagnosis of a herniated disc is subluxation. Subluxation is when one or more of the bones of your spine (vertebrae) move out of position. The result can be a herniated disc. If this creates pressure on spinal nerves, problems will result. This pressure or irritation on the nerves causes the nerves to malfunction and interfere with the signals traveling over those nerves.

Symptoms can be one or more of the following:
· Pain spreading over the buttocks, down the back of one thigh, and into the calf
· Pain may be in one leg (more common) or both legs
· Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the legs or feet
· Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one or both arms
· In severe cases, inability to find comfort even lying down
· Sudden aching or twisted neck that cannot be straightened without severe pain
· Bowel or bladder changes and/or numbness in the groin

Treatment

Treatments for a herniated can range from physical therapy, to anti-inflammatory medication, to cortisone shots to surgery. Because back surgery is extremely invasive, and because surgery is not always totally successful in correcting the problem, it would be wise to seek out the services of a doctor of chiropractic first. Before resorting to a surgical approach, it just makes good sense to try a more conservative procedure.

A doctor of chiropractic is trained to locate subluxations, and reduce or correct them. This can be accomplished through a series of chiropractic adjustments designed to correct the vertebral subluxations in your spine. Chiropractors are the only professionals who undergo years of training to be experts at correcting subluxations. There are methods to decompress the vertebrae which allow the disc the ability to heal itself.

Early Diagnosis

Be aware that few treatments - even chiropractic treatment - can make up for years of abuse and neglect of spinal health that many people endure. Poor nutrition, poor posture, lack of proper exercise, and even incorrect lifting methods are among the many ways the spine suffers abuse.

Early diagnosis and conservative treatment is the best way to begin correcting the pain suffered from a herniated disc. And the chiropractic approach is an excellent first choice for extended pain relief and for a healthier spine in the future!