Posts Tagged ‘sciatica’
I am aware from more than twenty years experience as a Chiropractor in Wichita helping individuals suffering from sciatic pain that the affliction can be extremely disabling. Sciatica sufferers are sadly all too familiar with the deep radiating pain that accompanies their waking hours each day and inhibits almost all of their daily activities.
Here’s how you can ascertain if your low back pain is caused by sciatica. You are more than likely experiencing sciatica if your pain travels from your low back, through one or both sides of your buttocks, down the large sciatic nerve in the back of one or both legs, and possibly shoots into one or both knees. In addition, sitting, as well as motion, can be painful. Commonly lying down will lessen, or perhaps even temporarily get rid of the pain. However, it’s important for you to know that sciatica cannot be corrected without appropriate management.
Radiculopathy
A radiculopathy is a medical term used to describe a condition where a disc has protruded from its natural position in the vertebral column and is creating pressure on the radicular nerve, or nerve root, that forms part of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Such pressure can generate excruciating pain.
Prolonged sitting, especially in an improper position, can create imbalances in the muscles enclosing the spine and additional pressure on the intervertebral discs. More often than not, a specific event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, more often sciatica has a tendency to evolve over time as a consequence of everyday wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Eventually the lower spine can lose its normal functioning capabilities during everyday stresses.
When this takes place, the intervertebral disc undergoes small fissures or cracks that then permit the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is created as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This condition is frequently called a ruptured, or slipped, disc. Sciatica is the result of the disc pressing on the spinal nerve. Fortunately, most disc problems, including sciatica, can be totally alleviated with chiropractic treatment and therapy that frequently includes postural exercises.
Periformis Syndrome
Another cause of sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome develops when the periformis muscle, for whatever reason, goes into spasm and irritates the sciatic nerve, which runs “deep to the muscle.” In addition to chiropractic treatment, this type of sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor will suggest.
If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is essential for you to seek chiropractic attention. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Chiropractor in Wichita, I invite you to come in to see if I can get you out of pain and help you to get your life back!