Sciatica

The shooting and piercing pains traveling from the lumbar spine and down into the legs are typically debilitating for patients trying to do normal daily activities. The longest nerve in the body begins in the buttocks and extends to the toes – the sciatic nerve. Sciatic nerve pain (sciatica) can be caused by Piriformis syndrome, trapping of the nerve, or disc herniation.

Besides shooting pain, other symptoms can include numbness, weakness, tingling or burning down the leg, worsening pain when seated, difficulty moving the leg or foot, constant pain on one side of the lower back, and inability to stand due to pain.

Warsaw Chiropractic can provide relief from sciatica with gentle and natural treatment without side effects associated with pain medications. A combination of therapies will be used after establishing the diagnosis of sciatica.

• Massage therapy – Massage not only relaxes muscles but also releases natural painkillers (endorphins)

• Ultrasound or TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) – Ultrasound uses sound waves, and TENS units provide electrical pulses, to penetrate soft tissues and improve circulation.

• Cold laser therapy – Low-level laser energy also penetrates soft tissues to reduce pain and swelling

• Heat/cold – Heat and cold can be used independently or on an alternating basis to provide relief in many areas of the body

• Spinal manipulation – Limited spinal movement may be released with manual manipulation to realign the vertebral discs and relieve pressure on nerves

• Spinal decompression – Lengthening the spine and enhancing spaces between vertebrae relieve compression of the nerves

• Exercises – Home exercises are important to promoting and maintaining spinal alignment and soft tissue healing

• Lifestyle changes – Better ergonomic positions are beneficial to all joint health

Call 660-438-5224 to begin your path to sciatica relief.