Melva Mitchell Fort Worth What is sciatica?
You know how it feels: a stabbing pain running down your leg. You will also likely have tingling or numbness. Your doctor says it's sciatica, but to confuse things, sciatica isn't really a disease. It is a medical term used to describe symptoms - throbbing pain, tingling, and numbness - caused by a condition in the lower back.
This means that your sciatica could be caused by a bulging or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, spinal stenosis, spinal tumor or spinal infection, spondylolisthesis, or trauma.
Any of these conditions can put pressure on the sciatic nerve or related nerve roots in your lower back. And that pressure is what produces the pain and the other symptoms.
Your doctor may also call radiculopathy sciatica: a medical term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs. Since sciatica originates in your lower back, the lumbar spine, it is called lumbar radiculopathy.
You might consider going to a chiropractic doctor for sciatica treatment. Chiropractic physicians believe that the body has the potential to heal itself. Before treatment, your chiropractor will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order X-rays or other imaging tests, such as an MRI. A thorough exam is part of good chiropractic care.
These professionals offer non-invasive, drug-free therapies to treat sciatica. Your treatment plan may include:
Hot / cold therapy
To help reduce inflammation, your chiropractor may ask you to use ice or a cold pack to control your sciatica pain.
Dr Melva Mitchell Column manipulation
chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques to realign your spine. That is what sets them apart from other doctors. Misaligned parts of your spine can cause swelling, muscle spasms, and other symptoms of sciatica. Manipulation can help reduce nerve irritability.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
An TENS unit transmits a painless electrical current to nerves through your skin to help you manage pain. Small electrode patches are placed on or near the painful area. Although your chiropractor's TENS equipment is large, many patients are given a small portable unit that can be worn on a belt. TENS helps relieve muscle spasms and stiffness, helps improve mobility and pain by causing your body to produce endorphins, your body's natural pain reliever.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound, by increasing blood circulation, helps reduce muscle spasms, cramps, swelling, stiffness, and pain. It does this by sending sound waves deep into the muscle tissues, creating a gentle heat that improves circulation and healing.
Sometimes the cause of sciatica is beyond the scope of chiropractic care. If that is the case for you, your chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
By Melva Mitchell Fort Worth - Melva Mitchell Gray Chiropractor
Dr Melva Mitchell What is sciatica? You know how it feels: a stabbing pain running down your leg. You will also likely have tingling or numbness. Your doctor says it's sciatica, but to confuse things, sciatica isn't really a disease. It is a medical term used to describe symptoms - throbbing pain, tingling, and numbness - caused by a condition in the lower back. This means that your sciatica could be caused by a bulging or herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, piriformis syndrome, pregnancy, spinal stenosis, spinal tumor or spinal infection, spondylolisthesis, or trauma. Any of these conditions can put pressure on the sciatic nerve or related nerve roots in your lower back. And that pressure is what produces the pain and the other symptoms. Your doctor may also call radiculopathy sciatica: a medical term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs. Since sciatica originates in your lower back, the lumbar spine, it is called lumbar radiculopathy. Melva Mitchell Fort Worth - You might consider going to a chiropractic doctor for sciatica treatment. Chiropractic physicians believe that the body has the potential to heal itself. Before treatment, your chiropractor will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam, and may order X-rays or other imaging tests, such as an MRI. A thorough exam is part of good chiropractic care.
