The term sciatica describes an inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest in the body. That nerve can become irritated, commonly from misalignment of the vertebrae in the lower back. When the vertebrae go out of alignment, it irritates the nerves. When the nerves become irritated, it interferes with the information and energy carried over that nerve that controls how well those muscles function.
Over a period of time, the imbalance in the muscles and malfunction can create pain and inflammation. The sciatic nerve can become inflamed from the compression of the nerve and the irritation on it. When sciatica becomes so severe, it can become crippling and disabling. The following all can become difficult:
- Standing
- Bending
- Walking
- Lifting
- Carrying
Sometimes sciatica can come from a disc injury. The disc doesn’t tear or herniate but it’s compressed and squeezed into the area where the nerve is and it irritates the nerve. If the disc is bulging or compressed, chiropractic care is highly helpful. In cases of a torn or herniated disc, however, it may be time to consult with a medical doctor.
How Chiropractic Can Help
We use various techniques at our practice to address sciatica. Usually, people in our office respond within a few days to a few weeks. For patients who have osteoporosis, for example, we can use gentle techniques to adjust. No twisting or popping is involved.
Pregnant women with sciatica also can benefit from chiropractic. The average pregnant woman gains 25-50 extra pounds during pregnancy, putting 100-200 pounds of stress on the lower back and the legs. Chiropractic is a drug-free way to relieve a pregnant patient’s sciatic pain. And because chiropractic is natural, it’s safe to use throughout pregnancy. Pregnant women under chiropractic care also enjoy less stressful pregnancies and easier, less complicated deliveries.
Prevention Is Key
Having periodic chiropractic checkups can help ensure there’s no compression of the nerves, so there’s less chance of a flare-up or injury. If a person does experience one of these, it’s less severe in duration, frequency and intensity.
Maintaining a healthy weight also can keep sciatica away. That’s because every extra pound of fat translates into four pounds of excess weight on the lower back. If you’re trying to lose weight, we offer a fantastic weight loss program at the practice. Most people on the plan lose 20-35 pounds in six weeks eating real food. There are no prepackaged foods or shakes to consume.
Keep Your Foundation Fit
We also evaluate the balance and alignment of the feet to address sciatica. If your feet go out of alignment (which is quite common), it can induce sciatic pain. Many people wear shoes that don’t support proper alignment. So when the foot goes out of alignment, that affects the entire kinetic chain, especially the lower back, which also can become misaligned.
One of our specialties is adjusting, balancing and aligning the foot correctly. If necessary, we can create custom foot orthotics. These inserts can be placed in shoes and moved from one pair to another. The primary benefit of orthotics is the feet become better balanced. Therefore, the spine and body are better aligned and balanced.
If you’ve never been under chiropractic care before, now’s the time to come in. Schedule a comprehensive checkup for just $67! We can determine whether or not you have any misalignments. If you do, we can address those little problems before they turn into bigger issues.