Sciatica Treatment From Chiro-Med Health & Wellness Centers
Chiropractic care at Chiro-Med Health & Wellness Centers is an effective alternative way to treat sciatica, a condition that causes pain to radiate to the lower body. Treatment from our chiropractor in Orland Park, IL, can prevent the painful condition from interfering with daily functions. We can tailor your wellness plan to include spinal manipulation or non-surgical spinal decompression along with other therapies that provide holistic relief.
What Causes Sciatic Nerve Pain?
Research suggests that 90% of the times sciatica, also called sciatic neuropathy or radiculopathy, is caused by a herniated disc that compressed the nerve root. This happens when the disc itself slips into the spinal canal and presses on the nerve. In other cases, pressure from the spine may rupture the disc causing its content to extrude and irritate the nerve.
The disc can also herniate due to spine degeneration, excessive pressure on the spine from pregnancy, being overweight, living a sedentary lifestyle, and strenuous physical activities, e.g., heavy lifting. The following underlying conditions are other common causes of nerve compression:
- Bulging disc
- Lumbar spinal stenosis
- Chronic inflammation
- Bone spurs
- Spondylolisthesis
- Buttock muscles spasms
- Misaligned vertebrae
What are Common Sciatica Symptoms?
The hallmark symptom is low back pain that radiates to the buttock and leg on one side of the body. Patients describe the pain as sharp shooting, dull, burning, or an electric-like sensation. The pain can be mild to intense and may be accompanied by sensations such as weakness, numbness or tingling in the leg. Symptoms may grow worse when you bend forward, twist your spine, or cough. Although you have two sciatic nerves, only one is usually pinched.
Sciatica Treatment from a Chiropractor in Orland Park, IL
Dr. Miller will document your symptoms and perform a physical exam which includes a leg raise test. We may order X-rays or an MRI to check for nerve compression. If this is the case, we may recommend spinal manipulation or adjustment of the spine to return it to its proper position within the spinal column. Adjustments also move spinal structures such as the disc and bones away from the nerve.
Spinal decompression therapy is an FDA-cleared technique used to draw an extruded disc back to its natural position between the vertebrae. This frees the nerve from irritation and reduces inflammation, pain, and pinched nerve symptoms.
Your personalized treatment plan may include massage therapy to stimulate tissue healing and corrective exercises to help increase muscle strength and flexibility. Some patients may benefit from counseling on nutrition, proper posture, and weight loss.
Schedule Chiropractic Care in Orland Park, IL for Sciatic Nerve Pain
Holistic care at Chiro-Med Health & Wellness Centers can eliminate the need for drug treatment and help you avoid lumbar disc surgery. Call (708) 403 2727 to request a consultation with our chiropractor.
