If you’ve ever had a bout with sciatica, you know that the pain can be terrible. The sciatic nerves branch off from nerves in the lower back, run through the hips and buttocks, then down the back of each leg, through the feet and into the big toes. The right and left sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body and are about as thick as your little finger in places. When someone has a sciatica flare-up, it can be absolutely crippling. A severe attack can even cause leg weakness and problems with the bladder and bowel.
Sciatica can be misunderstood because no two episodes are alike. People have used many words to describe the pain:
- Sore
- Dull
- Numb
- Tingling
- Electrical shock
- Stabbing
Regardless of how the pain presents, it can range in severity from a mere annoyance to pain so intense it’s difficult to stand up or walk.
I’m in Pain—Can Chiropractic Help?
Some sciatica episodes may go away on their own within a few days. Other episodes may come and go for several weeks or even months. Most recommendations include rest and anti-inflammatory medications. Whether your symptoms last for hours or months, it is important to address the root cause of your sciatica so that it doesn’t recur again in the future.
If you’ve tried a general chiropractic approach, chances are you’ve had adjustments to your lower back, since that’s where the discomfort is. At Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, we take a different approach. While we acknowledge that your pain is in the lower back and down the leg, our goal is to find the primary misalignment that is causing the condition. Many times, that primary misalignment is at the very opposite end of the spine.
When the uppermost vertebra in your spine shifts off position, it causes a domino effect down the spine, creating distortions in your posture, muscle spasms, and unequal pressure on the discs. In instances like these, your pain may be in your lower back, but the real cause of the problem is actually the neck. If a general chiropractic approach hasn’t been successful in attaining any relief, it’s time for a different approach that can pinpoint the root cause of the issue.
To schedule a consultation with Upper Cervical Chiropractic San Diego, call 858-434-5926 or just click the button below.
If you are outside of the local area you can find an Upper Cervical Doctor near you at www.uppercervicalawareness.com.
