Posts Tagged ‘sciatica’
Your Wichita Chiropractor Has Years of Experience Successfully Treating Sciatica
I am aware from over twenty years experience as a Chiropractor in Wichita treating individuals suffering from the pain of sciatica that the condition can be extremely debilitating. Sciatica sufferers are sadly all too familiar with the kind of deep pain that frequently radiates through the lower part of their body, accompanies their waking hours each day and inhibits almost all of their daily activities.
There is a way to ascertain if your low back pain is caused by sciatica. If your pain radiates from your low back, through your buttock(s), down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s), and possibly radiates into your knee(s), you are more than likely suffering from sciatica. In addition, not just motion, but even sitting can be painful. Often lying down will decrease, or perhaps even temporarily get rid of the pain. But, it’s important for you to be aware that sciatica cannot be corrected without appropriate treatment.
Radiculopathy
One of the clinical diagnoses of sciatica is called a “radiculopathy”, a medical term that means simply that a disc has protruded from its normal position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve, or nerve root, in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. Such pressure is extremely painful.
Increased pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine, can occur during and after long periods of sitting, especially in an improper position. More often than not, a specific event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, more often sciatica tends to develop over time as a result of general wear and tear on the vertebrae of the lower spine. Over the course of time the lower spine can lose its ability to function normally during common stresses.
Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures or cracks, which then allow the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is created as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This occurrence is often called a ruptured, or slipped, disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, sciatica is likely to develop. With chiropractic manipulation and management, which frequently includes postural exercises, almost all disc problems, including sciatica, can be totally alleviated.
Periformis Syndrome
Another condition that creates sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome occurs when the periformis muscle, which is superficial to the sciatic nerve, goes into spasm and irritates the nerve. In combination with chiropractic manipulation, this particular sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor can recommend.
If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is extremely important for you to seek chiropractic attention. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Wichita Chiropractor, I invite you to come in to see if I can get you out of pain and help you to get your life back!
Chiropractic Adjustments Help Low Back Pain
Can Chiropractic Help Back Pain?
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a common health complication that at some time affects more than 80% of the population, making it second in commonality only to the common cold. Although most of us are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the puzzle.
Anatomy
Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very useful in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are comprised of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. The inter-vertebral discs link the bodies of the vertebrae and are comprised of a form of tough cartilage that encases a soft material in the center, called the nucleus. The main function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also connect the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. In a canal located between the body and the facets of the vertebrae is the spinal cord. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
A large number of back pain patients have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The cumulative effects of unhealthy sitting posture, poor work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of regular exercise, and other negative lifestyle-related factors cause most back pain. These cumulative factors cause stresses and imbalances on the spine and, therefore, people may injure their back merely by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The spine was already at risk and just the simple act of bending was enough to set off the condition. When this comes about, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, specifically in a awkward position creates increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Eventually the lower spine loses its usual function and no longer can make room for the normal day-to-day stresses in ones life. Finally, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, permitting the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it creates the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. Sciatica develops when the disc presses on the spinal nerve. The symptoms of sciatica include pain, tingling, numbness, and often weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to clear away the herniated disc material. Nonetheless, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully recover. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms defined above, it is very important for you to seek chiropractic attention.
Spondylosis
Repetitive assault to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments may result in increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine. This stress can unfavorably affect the cartilage around the joints and induce calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This condition – known as Spondylosis – is a kind of arthritis that is likely to affect almost everyone at some point in life, as it is a common part of the aging process of the spine as well. But, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management is extraordinarily helpful in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as helping Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has assisted many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
Another common area of dysfunction or injury in the low back is in the sacroiliac joints. These weight-bearing joints link the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and change to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. Individuals with this problem will feel pain particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and being easily fatigued. Other symptoms such as neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches, can move further up the spine. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in ameliorating sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
A prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine, is subluxated or misaligned facet joints. Subluxations can exist on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can compress the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, producing paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is an alteration of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities oftenoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is most often associated with nerve problemsin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also belinked to, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best treated by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Injury such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can produce over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine and lower back and create considerable pain and immobility. Corrective chiropractic management at the onset of symptoms is very important in order to avoid long term disability and the development of any of the above conditions. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and skilled treatment for any of the above-mentioned problems of the spine and lower back.
Back Pain Relief With Chiropractic
Low Back Pain
Low back pain is a common health complication that at some point affects more than 80% of people, making it second in commonality only to the common cold. Although many of us are aware that the common cold is due to a viral infection, back pain is often a mystery to its sufferers. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor is an expert at solving the problem.
Anatomy
Knowledge of the anatomy of the spine is very useful in understanding back pain. The spinal bones or vertebrae of the lower back are comprised of posterior joints called facets that link vertebrae to one another and serve to guide the motion of the spine. Inter-vertebral discs, composed of strong cartilage, link the bodies of the vertebrae. This tough cartilage surrounds the nucleus, a soft material in the center of the inter-vertebral discs. The principal function of the disc is as a shock absorber and spacer between the vertebrae. Ligaments and muscles also link the vertebrae. The wedge-shaped bone at the bottom of the spine is the sacrum and is joined to the two pelvic bones at the sacroiliac joint. The spinal cord is positioned between the facets of the vertebrae. The spinal nerves go out from the spine between the vertebrae.
Causes of Back Pain
Most back pain victims have not experienced any trauma, accidents or major injuries prior to the onset of their problem. The origin of most back pain is the cumulative effects of improper sitting posture, bad work habits, incorrect lifting, lack of healthy exercise and other negative lifestyle-related factors. All of these factors produce stresses and imbalances on the spine and eventually produce pain. This is why people can often injure their back just by bending over to pick up a piece of paper. The instability of the spine makes it vulnerable to even the most simple movements, such as bending. When this happens, the surrounding back muscles go into spasm to protect the stressed or injured tissues of the back. Chiropractors are back pain specialists. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor can help you to get out of pain quickly.
Disc Problems & Sciatica
Prolonged sitting, particularly in a slouched position causes increased pressure on the intervertebral discs and imbalances in the muscles surrounding the spine. Over time the lower spine loses its ability to function normally during everyday stresses. Ultimately, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures, or cracks, allowing the soft nucleus to distend the disc outward. If the disc pushes on sensitive tissues, it causes the pain that is often referred to as a slipped disc. If the disc presses on the spinal nerve, one can develop sciatica, which is defined as pain, tingling, numbness, and occasionally weakness in the lower extremities. Sometimes if the disc protrusion or herniation is large and the condition is not managed correctly, surgery is required to clear away the herniated disc material. Nonetheless, with the correct chiropractic adjustments and management, as well as postural exercises, most of these cases can healthfully recover. If you are experiencing any of the conditions defined above, it is crucial for you to seek chiropractic treatment.
Spondylosis
Increased erosion and weight-bearing stress on the spine occurs when there is repetitive damage to the discs, facet joints, and surrounding ligaments. This stress can negatively affect the cartilage around the joints and induce calcium to deposit in the tissues around the vertebrae, forming bone spurs. These spurs can constrict adjacent nerves, blood vessels and soft tissue resulting in symptoms ranging from minor pain and numbness to gross sensory loss and muscular atrophy. This constriction causes a form of arthritis, called Spondylosis, that can also occur as part of the aging process of the spine. Nevertheless, factors such as previous trauma, unhealthy lifestyle, and repetitive stress injury influence the time of onset in life. Regular chiropractic care and overall chiropractic management is very effective in slowing the aging process of the spine, as well as aiding Spondylosis sufferers in managing their condition. Your Fort Worth Chiropractor has treated many Spondylosis sufferers.
Sacroiliac Problems
The sacroiliac joints are a common area of dysfunction or injury in the low back. These weight-bearing joints attach the upper part of the body to the lower pelvic portion and are innately very strong and stable. However with trauma such as falls, sports injuries, or lifting heavy objects, the joints can become unstable and relocate to an abnormal position. This condition is called a sacroiliac subluxation. Pregnancy can also cause this condition. Sacroiliac subluxation causes imbalances in the lower extremities giving a person a functional long and short leg. People with this condition will feel pain particularly with prolonged standing and walking, or during or after physical activity. Many complain of lack of energy and being easily fatigued. Many times this imbalance can affect structures further up the spine and people can develop neck and shoulder pain, as well as headaches. Chiropractic adjustments establish the proper alignment of the joints and are extremely affective in ameliorating sacroiliac problems. Ask your Fort Worth chiropractor how you can experience effective pain relief.
Spinal Subluxation
Subluxated or misaligned facets joints are a prevalent disorder of the lower back, as well as the entire spine. Subluxations can exist on their own or in conjunction with disc problems and Spondylosis. Subluxations are not only painful, but they can restrict the nerves as they exit the foramen (or spaces) between the vertebrae, producing paraesthesia. Paraesthesia is a change of sensation described as a tingling, burning or “funny feeling.” Paraesthesia in the upper extremities usuallyoriginates from nerve problems in the neck, while paraesthesia in the lower extremities is commonly associated with nerve dysfunctionin the lumbar region (lower back). Visceral problems such as asthma and gastric conditions can also becorrelated with, or complicated by, spinal subluxations and nerve compression. Subluxations are best corrected by chiropractic adjustments.
Trauma
Trauma such as a fall, car accident, or sports injury can cause harm to the spine and lower back. Frequently these traumas cause over-stretching or tearing of the tissues of the spine. When this happens a person can encounter considerable pain and immobility. In order to avoid long term disability or the development of any of the conditions listed above, chiropractic adjustments and treatment at the onset of symptoms is very important. If you experience a trauma, call your chiropractor as soon as possible.
Scoliosis
Scoliosis is often associated with low back pain. Chiropractic care offers exceptional pain relief.
When it comes to the spine, chiropractors have more education and training than medical doctors. I can provides state of the art diagnosis and expert treatment for any of the above-mentioned dysfunctions of the spine and lower back.