Sciatica symptoms can be debilitating, but Dr. Austin Simmons at Simmons Chiropractic Clinic in Granger and Nappanee, IN, offers natural techniques to help effectively relieve your suffering.
Quick Guide to Sciatica
In the guide below, Dr. Simmons and the team at Simmons Chiropractic Clinic in Granger and Nappanee, IN, explain what sciatica is, the various symptoms it causes, and how chiropractic care can help.
Understanding Sciatica
You have more than seven trillion nerves that control various functions and relay messages between the brain and the body. The longest of all these nerves are called the sciatic nerves. One on each side, they begin in the lower back just above the buttocks, traveling down each leg to your feet.
Between the bones in the lower back are spinal discs, which cushion the bones and absorb shock. Due to either an accident, such as a car wreck, or ongoing habits, like poor posture, a disc might sustain too much pressure. This often causes a tear in the tough outer casing that the inner filling spills out of – usually landing on the sciatic nerve. When this occurs, it creates:
- Sharp, shooting pains in the legs
- Lower back pain
- Hip pain
- Burning sensations
- Numbness, tingling, or prickly sensations in the extremities
These symptoms caused by sciatic nerve compression are referred to as sciatica.
Chiropractic Approach to Relief
Chiropractors focus their treatment techniques on correcting the issue that is causing the pain. As these symptoms come from compression of the sciatic nerve, treatment is focused on releasing this compression, as well as addressing factors that led to the compression. Some of the most effective techniques in such a case include the following.
- Adjustments: Adjustments restore proper alignment to the spine, ensuring no undue pressure is placed on the spinal components.
- Electrical stimulation therapy: This technique helps release muscle spasms, as well as disrupt pain signals to the brain.
- Cold laser therapy: Cold laser therapy helps improve blood flow, heal soft tissues, improve range of motion, and reduce inflammation and pain.
- Therapeutic exercise: Therapeutic exercises are used to help strengthen the support muscles, improve posture, improve range of motion, and increase blood circulation.
Don’t suffer from sciatica any longer. Call (574) 271-4628 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Simmons and the team at Simmons Chiropractic Clinic in Granger and Nappanee, IN.