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While
it can take time, conservative chiropractic care can be
quite successful in removing the cause of sciatica and
low back pain. |
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Research shows that when treated with chiropractic
adjustments, sciatica has an 8 - 9% greater rate of
recovery than if patients were to use therapy or
standard medical care. |
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Each
of the two sciatic nerves is formed by four or five
nerves branching off each side of the spinal cord and
running down the back of each leg. |
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The
lumbar spine, where the sciatic nerve begins, is the
most frequently injured area of the spine. |
The largest nerves of the
body.
Pain is caused when the sciatic
nerve roots are irritated, scraped, twisted, stretched or pinched as
they exit the spine. Causes of the impairment may be chemical,
physical or the emotional stress of everyday living. A
full-blown sciatic flare-up can involved the entire sciatic nerve
path resulting in symptoms of lower back pain, burning, cramping or
numbness that radiates into the thighs, legs, ankles, feet and toes.
Pain may also be limited to various points along the nerve such as
the buttocks, knee are and calf.
An all too common health
complaint.
The sciatic nerves are the
largest (and longest) nerves of the body, reaching about the size of
your thumb in diameter, and running down the back of each leg.
When these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation of
nearby soft tissues, doctors refer to this as sciatica.
One of the most common causes
of sciatic leg pain is the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. It
can be accompanied by the bulging or herniation of the soft pulpy
discs which separate each spinal bone. This can irritate or
put pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spinal
cord. The result can be an intense pain shooting down either
or both legs.
In the past, treatment has
involved pain medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and
even surgery. The chiropractic approach is to use carefully
directed and controlled pressure to remove the interference from
spinal structures. These chiropractic adjustments can be quite
effective in reducing nerve irritation and its associated pain.
Sciatica, like other health
problems that can be traced to the spine, often respond dramatically
to the restoration of normal spinal function through conservative
chiropractic care. |
