Edmonton Sciatica Treatment
Originating in the sciatic nerve located near the lower spine, sciatica manifests as leg pain that may be experienced as dull, sharp, burning or tingling and that extends from the lower back and/or buttocks down through the leg; causing severe discomfort. Most sciatica sufferers have difficulty with merely sitting or standing in addition to dealing with shooting pains, numbness and weakness in the leg. Restoration Chiropractic chiropractors in Edmonton begin by identifying the underlying cause of your sciatic nerve pain problem and provide individualized chiropractic care that includes a range of treatment options to relieve pain and promote natural healing.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is commonly caused by a compression or “pinching” of the sciatic nerve due to a range of possible causes including lumbar spine misalignments, herniated and slipped discs that may be brought on by a range of possible conditions from trauma or physical imbalances, as well as diabetes and pregnancy. Prompt and professional diagnosis and intervention are necessary in order to properly treat sciatica and avoid long-term complications.
When a disc becomes torn or cracked and protrudes into the spinal canal, the sciatic nerve becomes compressed resulting in chronic pain. In addition, injured muscles located in the lower part of the spine that connect to the thigh bone can apply pressure to the sciatic nerve and become inflamed resulting in chronic and severe pain and numbness. A damaged alignment of the pelvis may also add extra pressure to the muscles surrounding the buttocks and result in a pinched sciatic nerve. Accidents or any prolonged and consistent strain on the lower back may be at the root of herniated or slipped discs which are most commonly identified as the source of sciatic nerve problems. Restoration Chiropractic chiropractors also check for less common causes when formulating a diagnosis and may identify conditions that include arthritis, tumors, and nutritional deficiencies as the source of the problem.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Chiropractic care for sciatica reduces inflammation and ultimately promotes the body’s natural healing mechanisms. Spinal manipulations can create positive responses in the nervous system that result in considerable relief of sciatic nerve pain. A 2010 study in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics revealed that 60% of patients who received chiropractic care several times a week for sciatica experienced the same degree of mobility restoration and pain relief as those who had opted to undergo surgery.
The licensed chiropractors at Restoration Chiropractic offer noninvasive, non-surgical and drug-free treatment alternatives following a complete assessment and medical history review at our Edmonton clinic. Your first appointment will begin with a series of x-rays and nerve scans to develop your tailored chiropractic care plan. Treatments may include gentle spinal adjustments combined with exercise and physical therapy options geared to balancing the spinal column to allow an environment for natural healing to occur. If your sciatica nerve problem is identified as being associated with a more serious health disorder, Restoration Chiropractic practitioners will work in conjunction with your other health providers to facilitate comprehensive and effective treatment.