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If you suffer from the debilitating symptoms of sciatica or chronic low back pain , don’t put off finding the cause and feeling better. Art of Chiropractic can help.

Only someone who has suffered through sciatic pain truly knows how it feels. For some, it’s a dull ache in the backside and leg. Others report  intense stabbing pains throughout the low back and down into the leg. Some say it’s like thousands of painful electric shocks through the affected area. A few even suffer intense groin pain. Any way you look at it, sciatica is serious business.

What is sciatica? Is it a disease or disorder? Actually, sciatica is the symptom of a disorder – often a very painful symptom – not a disorder in itself.

The sciatic nerve is the largest and widest nerve in the human body. Beginning in the lower back, it runs through the buttock and down the back of the leg, all the way to the foot, providing feeling and sensation to these areas. However, due to its sheer size and function, problems with the sciatic nerve can be both excruciating and debilitating.

Sciatic nerve compression is the most evident reason for sciatica. However, this is not the actual cause. Nerves don’t become compressed on their own. There is an underlying reason that must be discovered in order to find a course of treatment. Sciatica is actually “referred pain,” meaning its cause lies elsewhere.

Assuming that compression of the sciatic nerve is causing symptoms, there are a number of factors that cause compression. These might include:

• Lumbar spine misalignment (subluxation)
• Herniated or bulging discs (“slipped disc”)
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Tumors along the sciatic nerve
• Severe constipation
• Chronic poor posture, including sitting on a back pocket wallet

Since sciatica has numerous origins, its cause must be determined through careful examination. After ruling out tumors and serious medical conditions, chiropractic care can be the cornerstone in the healing process.

On its journey down the back of the leg, the sciatic nerve passes behind the piriformis muscle. The relationship between the piriformis and the sciatic nerve is a common source of sciatic pain. Let’s look deeper at this relationship.

Piriformis Syndrome

Located in the lower part of the spine, the piriformis muscle connects to the thighbone and plays a part in hip rotation. For this reason, a sudden twist from side to side can cause inflammation of the piriformis and in turn create pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is known as Piriformis Syndrome.

The piriformis is susceptible to slip and fall injuries, arthritis of the hip, or even a discrepancy in leg length. Cramping and spasms of the piriformis can pinch and compress the sciatic nerve, causing severe and often chronic pain. Often the piriformis is affected by spinal misalignment. A visit to Art of Chiropractic can reset the spine and ease pain. We also recommend exercises that may ease spasms of the piriformis muscle.

Perhaps sciatica is not your issue. Let’s take a look at low back pain and some of its causes.

Low Back Pain

Do you suffer from low back pain? The Mayo Clinic reports more than 3 million cases a year in the United States. Low back pain may be the result of muscle strain or ligament sprain. Common causes include:

• Improper lifting
• Poor posture
• Lack of exercise
• Disk misalignment or rupture
• Arthritis

The American Chiropractic Association cites low back pain as the second most common reason for doctor visits, right behind respiratory infections. One half of all working Americans complain of low back pain each year. Annual estimated costs for back pain in America are $50 billion.

A common medical “fix” for low back pain is a prescription for pain medication. This can lead to serious side effects and possible addiction. (Please click here to read last month’s blog post about the growing opioid epidemic.)

The good news is that Art of Chiropractic offers safe, drug-free treatments for low back pain, sciatica, and soft tissue injury.

If you suffer from sciatica or chronic low back pain come in for an evaluation. Once we determine the cause, we can begin a comprehensive chiropractic treatment plan. This may involve low force spinal adjustments and other therapies, such as:

• Ice/Cold therapy to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain
• Therapeutic massage
• Electrical stimulation to alleviate acute pain and relieve muscle spasms
• Cold laser therapy (see last month’s blog entry) to aid healing and recovery of soft tissue injuries
• Neuromuscular therapy involving pressure on trigger points to provide relief from chronic pain
• Lifestyle counseling and exercise (click here to visit our exercise page)
• Patient education to help avoid future occurrence

Don’t delay! Take the first step toward safe, effective, drug-free relief of low back pain. Click the button below to contact The Art of Chiropractic today.