Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain

In the body, the nerve that runs from the lumber part (the lower back) to the legs is what we call the sciatic nerve. It’s the largest in the body and damage to it results in a syndrome called sciatica. Sciatica is an indicator of an underlying medical problem in your lower back. It’s often described as pain, tingle, and numbness in the leg. Sciatica rarely affects both legs and thus you should expect pain to be one-sided.

The unfortunate thing is that sciatic nerve pain worsens with sitting. It also becomes hard to stand, walk or move the affected leg. In severe cases, though rare, sciatic nerve pain may lead to a neurological condition, a bowel dysfunction or a bladder complication. This happens when sciatic is left untreated for long. The good news though is that you can treat it using chiropractic practices.

The Causes

Before we look at the role that chiropractic care plays in treating sciatic nerve pain, it’s important to know what causes it. Unlike most pains, sciatic nerve pain is not caused by a single injury or episode. It normally develops from repeated events and becomes complicated over time. For this reason, it’s often difficult to pinpoint the exact time that the symptoms started to manifest.

In general, the major causes of this debilitating nerve condition are:

Repetitive motion – When you twist your back often, there is the risk of triggering sciatic nerve pain. Also, experts argue that driving for long or carrying heavy things repeatedly can be a potential risk for suffering sciatica.
Lower back infection – Though this is rare, a serious infection to the lower back may affect the sciatic nerve. If the nerve is damaged by the infection in any way, there is always the chance of suffering sciatica.
Bone spurs – When bone spurs exist in the vertebra, they can collide and this may lead to abnormal Such growth has the power to interfere with the sciatic nerve, resulting in sciatica.
Physical discomforts – This includes wearing high heels for long, lying on an extremely soft mattress, and accumulating excess weight. All these issues are distress to the spine and thus a potential trigger of sciatica.
Slip disc – When a given vertebra disk shifts forward, such a condition is referred to as slip disc. In case the shift occurs in the lumbar area, sciatica results and its highlighted by a painful sensation.
Pregnancy – Pregnancy normally results in excess weight directed to the spine, leading to its compression.
Disc disease – When a degenerative disc disease occurs on any part of the spine, the discs become less flexible. Hence, they are not able to cushion the spine well or to repair themselves as expected. In the long run, symptoms of sciatic nerve pain start showing up.
Spinal tumors – A growth in the spine is a serious cause of sciatica. This is because the more the tumor grows, the more it’s compressed. In the end, the sciatic nerve becomes damaged, resulting in terrible pain and discomfort.

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help?

While there are so many treatment options for sciatic nerve pain such as pain medications, anti-inflammatory applications, and physical therapy, a majority of patients are preferring chiropractic treatments. So, what does a chiropractic doctor (a chiropractor) do to treat sciatica? Ideally, a chiropractor is a musculoskeletal expert. Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic uses hands-on techniques to decompress or realign compressed nerves to give you relief from sciatica. So, yes, a chiropractor can help immensely in treating sciatic nerve pain.

As a specialized doctor, a chiropractor is not just interested in addressing the symptoms but to also get into the root cause of the problem. In this case, the first thing that a chiropractor will do once you demonstrate the symptoms of sciatic nerve pain is to do a complete spinal evaluation on you. The evaluation features CT scans and X-rays. The tests are able to confirm the diagnosis and to show the underlying issue. After the evaluation, the chiropractor will perform s spinal adjustment technique, also known as spinal manipulation, on you.

Spinal Manipulation

Looking at the highlighted causes of sciatic nerve pain, it’s clear that they result in either the compression or misalignment of the sciatic nerve. That’s why chiropractors purpose to decompress and realign the nerve. This is what spinal manipulation is all about. The chiropractor uses hands to adjust the spine. In the end, spinal manipulation achieves the following goals:

Reduces sciatic nerve irritability and pain
Minimizes muscle spasms and inflammation in the affected part

However, it’s important to note that spinal manipulation is a very delicate procedure that should only be performed by trained and licensed chiropractic doctors. Any wrong move may cause serious damage to your spine.

Other Proven Chiropractic Treatments

Besides spinal manipulation, there are other techniques that Dr. Hinz at Cool Springs Chiropractic can use to manage sciatic nerve pain. They include:

Hot-Cold Therapy – Here, both heat and ice are applied to the affected part in an alternating The ice is used to numb the painful area while the heat is used to stimulate blood flow.
Ultrasounds – The aim of an ultrasound is to build sound waves for improving blood circulation in the affected leg. This significantly helps to reduce muscle stiffness, spasm, and cramps.
Decompression Therapy – In some cases, a chiropractor may prefer to use a decompressing machine instead of hands to correct a spinal compression case. The technique is called decompression therapy. It stretches your vertebra to improve its mobility and flexibility.
TENS – Standing for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, TENS is a treatment involving a small machine that passes an electric current through the muscles to stimulate them. This ideally soothes local inflammation as well as muscle spasm.
Massage Therapy – A chiropractor may also massage the affected area to promote fast healing. Through the massage, blood flow is stimulated as the sciatic nerve is decompressed. This can also be used as a preventive approach for the condition.

Closing Thought:

It’s irrefutable that sciatic nerve pain is a serious nerve condition that calls for immediate treatment following diagnosis. Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today to get started on the natural roadway to healing.

5 Natural Ways to Relieve Sciatic Nerve Pain

Thе ѕсіаtіс nеrvе іѕ thе lоngеѕt nеrvе іn thе bоdу. It оrіgіnаtеѕ іn thе lоwеr bасk, runnіng dоwn thrоugh thе hір аrеа аnd dоwn thе bасk оf thе lеg. Whеn thіѕ nеrvе gеtѕ іrrіtаtеd thе соndіtіоn іѕ knоwn аѕ Sсіаtіса. Thіѕ іѕ uѕuаllу саuѕеd bу рrеѕѕurе аrоund thе ѕсіаtіс nеrvе оr аrоund whеrе thе nеrvе rооt bеgіnѕ. Sеvеrе раіn саn rеѕult frоm thіѕ соndіtіоn wіth tурісаl раіn оссurrіng frоm thе lоwеr bасk, thrоugh thе buttосkѕ аrеа аnd dоwn thе bасk оf thе lеg. Uѕuаllу оnlу оnе ѕіdе іѕ аffесtеd. Othеr ѕуmрtоmѕ соuld іnсludе muѕсlе wеаknеѕѕ, numbnеѕѕ аnd tіnglіng wіth mоvеmеnt рrоblеmѕ.

Thеrе аrе ѕоmе соmmоn rіѕk fасtоrѕ thаt аrе аѕѕосіаtеd wіth Sсіаtіса. Thеѕе іnсludе ѕіttіng іn thе ѕаmе роѕіtіоn fоr lоng реrіоdѕ оf tіmе, frеԛuеnt hеаvу lіftіng оr twіѕtіng thе bасk оftеn оr hаvіng tо mоvе thе bоdу еxсеѕѕіvеlу fоr lоng реrіоdѕ оf tіmе. Dіаbеtісѕ аrе ѕоmеtіmеѕ рrоnе tо Sсіаtіса bесаuѕе оf thе nеrvоuѕ ѕуѕtеm dаmаgе thаt іѕ аѕѕосіаtеd wіth dіаbеtеѕ. Alѕо thе nоrmаl аgіng рrосеѕѕ саn bе a fасtоr ѕіnсе thе ѕріnаl соrd tеndѕ tо bесоmе wеаkеr аѕ wе аgе.

Sсіаtіс nеrvе раіn саn bе саuѕеd bу mаnу thіngѕ іnсludіng a ѕlірреd dіѕс, nаrrоwіng оf thе ѕріnаl соrd frоm аgе, dеgеnеrаtіvе dіѕс dіѕеаѕе, ріnсhеd nеrvеѕ, оr еvеn іmрrореr роѕturе. Thе ѕсіаtіс nеrvе runѕ frоm уоur bасk dоwn bеhіnd уоur thіghѕ, tо thе lоwеr lеg аnd fооt аrеа. Whеn соmрrеѕѕеd, thе раіn саn bе еxсruсіаtіng. Thеrе аrе ѕеvеrаl mеthоdѕ оf ѕсіаtіса trеаtmеnt whісh hеlр tо еlіmіnаtе ѕсіаtіс nеrvе раіn іnсludіng bасk раіn еxеrсіѕеѕ аnd thеrару.

There аrе gоіng tо bе ѕоmе rеmеdіеѕ thаt уоu саn іmрlеmеnt аt hоmе tо trу tо dесrеаѕе thе раіn thаt уоu аrе еxреrіеnсіng. It mау bе a bеnеfіt tо уоu tо рlасе a соld расk оn thе раіnful fоr rоughlу 20 mіnutеѕ еасh dау. Nеxt, уоu mау fіnd rеlіеf іf уоu trу tо аltеrnаtе hеаt аnd соld расkѕ thrоughоut thе dау. Juѕt mаkе ѕurе thаt уоu аrе uѕіng уоur hеаt расk оn thе lоwеѕt ѕеttіng. 5 Natural Hоmе Rеmеdіеѕ for Sciatica thаt Yоu can uѕе will include;

Swіmmіng: Onе оf thе mоѕt ѕubtlе аnd еffесtіvе rеmеdіеѕ fоr ѕсіаtіса іѕ ѕwіmmіng. Nоt оnlу іѕ thіѕ a nаturаl rеmеdу fоr уоur соndіtіоn, іt іѕ еаѕу аnd соѕt еffесtіvе tо аррlу. Thе wау ѕwіmmіng сurеѕ уоur ѕсіаtіса іѕ bу аllеvіаtіng thе рrеѕѕurе thаt іѕ рut tо bеаr оn уоur ѕсіаtіс nеrvе bу kееріng уоur bоdу fіt аnd уоur muѕсlеѕ flеxіblе аnd tоnеd. Yоu nееd tо dо thіѕ rоutіnеlу іn a gеntlе аnd rеgulаr mаnnеr fоr mаxіmum еffесtіvеnеѕѕ.
Slеер: Bеd rеѕt іѕ dіffеrеnt frоm іnсrеаѕіng уоur ѕlеер ԛuаlіtу. Thіѕ іѕ bесаuѕе уоur nеrvеѕ bесоmе rеlаxеd whеn уоu tаkе dеlіbеrаtе, соnѕсіоuѕ еffоrtѕ tо іnсrеаѕе уоur ѕlеер ԛuаlіtу whісh іnvаrіаblу rеlаxеѕ уоur nеrvеѕ аnd muѕсlеѕ. Yоu саn еnhаnсе thіѕ еffесt bу рlасіng a hоt wаtеr bоttlе undеrnеаth thе аffесtеd аrеа whіlе ѕlееріng.
Pоultісе: Thе uѕе оf роultісе mаdе frоm hоrѕеrаdіѕh whісh іѕ frеѕh аnd mіnсеd іѕ аnоthеr оnе оf thе fаntаѕtіс rеmеdіеѕ fоr ѕсіаtіса. Aррlу thіѕ роultісе tо thе аffесtеd аrеа аnd kеер іt іn рlасе fоr аt lеаѕt 60 mіnutеѕ bу wrарріng a tоwеl аrоund іt. Rереаt thіѕ рrосеѕѕ twісе tо thrісе dаіlу аѕ rеԛuіrеd.
Drіnk Frеѕh Vеgеtаblе Juісе: Yuсk уоu mіght ѕау іf уоu аrе nоrmаl аnd саn gо аbоut уоur dаіlу еndеаvоrѕ wіthоut ѕtrеѕѕful раіn. But іf уоu nееd tо раuѕе аftеr еvеrу ѕtер duе tо еxсruсіаtіng bасk раіn, thеn уuсk wіll bе thе lаѕt thіng оn уоur mіnd. Yоu ѕhоuld gо fоr frеѕh vеgеtаblе juісеѕ mаdе frоm thе fоllоwіng vеggіеѕ; сеlеrу, саrrоtѕ, роtаtоеѕ.
Strеtсhіng Exеrсіѕеѕ: Strеtсhіng еxеrсіѕеѕ іnсludе уоgа, tаі сhі, аnd mаѕѕаgеѕ. Thеѕе еxеrсіѕеѕ hеlр tо trеаt аnd рrеvеnt ѕсіаtіса bу rеduсіng thе frеԛuеnсу аnd ѕеvеrіtу оf thе ѕtrаіn рlасеd uроn thе glutеuѕ mаxіmuѕ whісh уоur ѕсіаtіс nеrvе runѕ thrоugh.

Thоѕе thаt аrе lооkіng fоr аltеrnаtіvе trеаtmеnt mеthоdѕ should also trу сhіrорrасtіс ѕеrvісеѕ оr еvеn асuрunсturе. Cool Springs Chiropractic offers both! Chіrорrасtіс аnd ѕсіаtіса ѕееm tо gо hаnd іn hаnd thеѕе dауѕ, аѕ mаnу раtіеntѕ соmе tо сlіnісѕ ѕееkіng ѕіmіlаr іѕѕuеѕ. Sіnсе ѕсіаtіса іѕ аn аіlmеnt оf thе bасk аnd сhіrорrасtіс саrе ѕееkѕ tо bеttеr аlіgn уоur ѕріnе, іt оnlу ѕееmѕ nаturаl thаt ѕсіаtіс-tуре раіn ѕhоuld bе trеаtеd wіth сhіrорrасtіс аdjuѕtmеntѕ. Rеgаrdlеѕѕ оf hоw уоur ѕсіаtіс раіn hаѕ dеvеlореd, thе fіrѕt ѕtер is for Dr. Hinz to рrореrlу dіаgnоѕе уоu. Thіѕ mау rеԛuіrе x-rауѕ, CT ѕсаn оr аn MRI, оr еvеn a nеrvе соnduсtіоn tеѕt. Onсе уоu hаvе bееn рrореrlу dіаgnоѕеd, Dr. Hinz will perform сhіrорrасtіс аdjuѕtmеntѕ wіll lіkеlу fосuѕ оn уоur lоwеr bасk, hірѕ, ѕасrоіlіас jоіntѕ, аnd оthеr раrtѕ оf уоur lоwеr bоdу аll іn аn еffоrt tо rе-еѕtаblіѕh рrореr bіо-mесhаnісѕ аnd rеlіеvе уоu оf уоur ѕуmрtоmѕ.

Thе numbеr оf trеаtmеntѕ уоu rеԛuіrе wіll dереnd оn thе ѕеvеrіtу оf уоur соndіtіоn аnd уоur rеѕроnѕе tо trеаtmеnt. Mаnу ѕсіаtіс соmрlаіntѕ dіѕарреаr аftеr оnlу a fеw wееkѕ оf trеаtmеnt, whіlе оthеrѕ mау tаkе mоnthѕ tо fullу hеаl. It іѕ hіghlу rесоmmеndеd thаt уоu fоllоw уоur сhіrорrасtоr’ѕ рrоfеѕѕіоnаl аdvісе durіng a соurѕе оf trеаtmеnt, аѕ thеу саn bеѕt guіdе уоu tо a full, аnd еffесtіvе rесоvеrу іn аn аррrорrіаtе tіmе frаmе.

Contact Cool Springs Chiropractic today to schedule your appointment! 615.503.9900

5 Stretches That Can Help Relieve Sciatica Pain

A 2005 study published in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine estimated that more than 5 percent of the adult population in the United States suffer from sciatica, and over the course of a lifetime, an individual has a 40 percent chance of experiencing it. The good news? Regular chiropractic care and stretching can help you overcome sciatic nerve pain.

Sciatica is defined as tenderness and pain along the sciatic nerve, typically presenting itself on one side of the body. The sciatic nerves (one for each leg) are the longest nerves in the body, running through your butt muscles all the way down into your foot! Sciatica often presents itself when bending over, running, sitting for long periods of time, or during other typical daily movements. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to:

Pain along the sciatic nerve pathway (lower back, buttock, back of thigh, calf)
Fatigue or numbness in your legs and/or feet
A tingling, burning, or pins and needles feeling along the nerve route
Weakness in the knees when trying to stand up
Foot drop: a condition where you cannot flex your ankles enough to walk on your heels
Reduced reflexes in your Achilles and knee

More often than not, sciatica is caused by a herniated or bulging disk in the spine. Through chiropractic adjustments, your doctor of chiropractic can help correct this issue by performing spinal manipulations to remove vertebral subluxations. These adjustments will not only treat your sciatica at its source and provide pain relief, they will help your entire body function as it should.

In between chiropractic adjustments, there are a few stretches you can perform at home to aid in sciatica pain relief and recovery. If you’re suffering from sciatica, please check out these 5 stretches that can help relieve sciatic nerve pain, and then call our office today for your appointment — chiropractic can help!

5 Stretches for Sciatic Nerve Pain Relief

1. Standing Hamstring Stretch

Place your right foot at or below hip level on a support such as a chair, table, or bench. Keep your leg straight and your knee and toes pointing straight up. Make sure the hip of your raised leg is not lifted, but rather is releasing downward (without the leg or foot turning outward). Hold for several breaths, repeating on each side. For a deeper stretch, bend forward over your leg at the hip crease, with your spine and leg straight and your quadriceps firm.

2. Seated Twist

Sit down on the floor with your knees bent and your feet on the floor in front of you. Take your right foot under your left knee and around to the outside of your left hip. Your right knee should point straight forward. Place your left foot on the floor to the outside of your right knee and place your left hand on the floor behind you. Hold your left knee with your right hand and breathe deeply. Hold for 30 seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

3. Pigeon Stretch

Start on your hands and knees. Bring your right knee forward and out to the right. Bring your right foot forward as well, until your heel is in line with your left hip and your shin is at about a 45-degree angle. Next, lean your upper body forward, tuck your left toes under, and slide or walk your left leg straight back, allowing your right thigh to rotate out passively as your hip descends toward the floor. Keep your hips level to the floor and square to the front of the mat; don’t let your pelvis turn or fall to one side. Rest in the stretch and allow your body to lower as low as it comfortably can. Hold for thirty seconds, release, and repeat on the opposite side.

4. Knee Raise Stretch

Lying on your back, draw one knee to your chest, keeping the other foot flat on the floor and hold for 30 seconds. Relax and lower the knee and repeat on the opposite side. Repeat 2-4x each leg.

5. Cat Pose

Get on your hands and knees and bend your back down and lift your chest by pulling your shoulders back. Breathe deeply while holding the pose for 10 seconds. Return to a flat back and then tuck your chin to your chest and raise your back. Hold for ten seconds and release. Repeat the process for up to two minutes.

Sciatica pain doesn’t have to be a part of your life! Call our office for your appointment today!

Sciatica Nerve Pain – 3 Reasons To Get Relief

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition caused by inflammation of the sciatic nerve that travels from the lower back all the way down the leg to the calf and foot. Pressure or tension on the sciatic nerve can create sciatic nerve pain. The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the human body, which explains why sciatica nerve pain can be so disruptive to one’s life. Irritation of the sciatic nerve can cause a number of different symptoms or combinations of symptoms, including but not limited to:

Numbness
Tingling
Burning
A deep, dull ache
Sharp, shooting pain
Electric, radiating pain
A loss of strength in the leg or foot

Don’t Allow Sciatica Nerve Pain to Take Over Your Life

In today’s society it has become all too popular to mask our pain instead of dealing with it. As a chiropractor I find myself repeatedly asking patients why they waited so long to come into the office. Usually I am answered with one of three reasons: I thought it would go away, I felt better while I was taking pain medication, or I don’t have health insurance.

I Thought It Would Go Away

The problem with this line of thinking is that the “it” isn’t referring to the nerve problem or injury; it’s referring to pain. It is true that pain can come and go but what we don’t see or feel is that whether or not pain is present the problem (inflammation, pressure, or tension on the nerve) that caused the pain in the first place may still be present. If you allow this problem to continue simply because the pain has stopped it may eventually lead to chronic pain conditions and intermittent sciatic nerve pain flare ups.

I Felt Better While I Was Taking Pain Medication

Pain medication is both a gift and a curse for the same reason; it takes away or lessens your pain. This is a gift because you are able to focus on other things besides your pain. It is a curse because it may sometimes trick you into feeling that there is no longer a problem. Often time’s patients may even make matters worse by continuing normal activity sense they feel better on pain meds instead of resting and letting their body heal.

I Don’t Have Health Insurance

This is perhaps one of the top reasons patients wait so long to seek care. It is extremely important to know that many chiropractors will work with cash patients to set up a payment plan that works for them. Also you need to keep in mind that the longer you go without care the worse the situation or condition will become, meaning you will most likely need more extensive care for a longer period of time than if you come in when the symptoms start.

It’s time to throw out the excuses and put your health first! Chiropractic care will locate and treat the core cause of your sciatica nerve pain naturally and effectively. To set up a consultation and exam or to have more questions answered call Hinz Family Chiropractic at (615) 503-9900.

Photo By: Community Photography ‘now & then’

4 Common Symptoms Of Whiplash And Their Treatments

Whiplash, also called neck sprain or neck strain, is an injury to the neck. Whiplash is caused by an abrupt jerking motion of the head, either backward or forward, and often occurs but is not limited to the result of a car accident. Whiplash can be diagnosed by a collection of symptoms that occur following damage to the neck. Due to whiplash the intervertebral joints, discs, ligaments, cervical muscles, and nerve roots may become damaged. Whiplash can also injure the brain, causing concussion, or traumatic brain injury. Due to the number of different delicate body structures that can be hurt in a whiplash injury, the symptoms of whiplash can be widely varied.

Common Whiplash Symptoms

Some of the most common symptoms related to whiplash injury are:

Neck pain and stiffness: Trauma such as whiplash, if not properly treated, can cause neck pain for years following the injury and often result in a misalignment, called a subluxation, of the neck or spine. When the delicate bones of the neck, called vertebra, become misaligned pressure, tension, and stress are placed on the joints, muscles, discs, and nerves in the neck producing pain and muscle spasms. Chiropractors are the only doctors trained to detect and correct vertebral subluxations.
Headaches: It is frequent for whiplash patients to experience severe headaches or migraines following their injury. There are several types of headaches including tension, stress, cluster, migraines, sinus, and more which may start as a result of the neck injury. You may experience these headaches occasionally or frequently and they may range from dull to throbbing with some causing debilitating pain and nausea.
Pain and soreness in the shoulder or between the shoulder blades: What affects the neck will affect the shoulder and vice versa. This explains why changes in the structure and function of the neck are one of the most common reasons for shoulder pain.
Decreased mobility: Due to the pain associated with whiplash injury most people experience a mild to severe decrease in their mobility and function. Chiropractic spinal manipulation help to gently move the misaligned bones back into proper position, decreasing pain and giving back full range of motion.

Other Whiplash Symptoms

Other whiplash symptoms include: upper back pain, lower back pain, nausea, tingling, jaw pain, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, changes in vision, balance problems, swelling, bruising, soreness, tenderness, tightness, light-headedness, wrist pain/numbness, sciatica (leg pain), fatigue, concussion, hormone disorders, menstrual disorder, occipital neuralgia, sore throat, loss of voice, weakness, feeling depressed, fibromyalgia, and anxiety.

Symptoms of whiplash may be delayed for 24 hours or more after the initial trauma. Due to this It is advised that you be examined as soon as possible after any injury that may have caused whiplash. If pain is present it is important to remember that pain is not the problem; it is a symptom of an underlying health issue that needs attention.

The Solution

Research has shown chiropractic to be one of the most effective treatments for whiplash pain and injury available today. Chiropractic spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments are an important part of the treatment and recovery process when healing from any injuries.

Chiropractic care is an all natural therapy which involves the chiropractor using his hands to adjust and treat misalignments in the spine also known as subluxations. Spinal manipulation and spinal adjustments can in many cases fix the subluxation, relieve pain in the soft tissues, increase circulation, and stimulate the body’s nervous system. The doctor may also use physical therapy techniques and exercises in the office to help maintain pain relief and strengthen your neck. In some cases you may be given exercises to perform at home to help with pain relief and strengthening in between office visits.

Subluxations can be corrected with chiropractic care and works best when caught early. Please don’t wait to see if the pain will simply go away on its own. Pain may be sending you a message that you are suffering from spinal subluxations that over time can lead to a multitude of health problems.

Take the first step in stopping your suffering by calling our Chiropractic office here in Franklin, TN at (615)503.9900 to schedule a consultation and exam.

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Category: Sciatica