Sciatica translates from Latin to mean leg pain. Medically it refers to pain in the back of the leg due to irritation of the sciatic nerve which is derived from the L4 to S1 nerve roots which exit from the lower lumbar spine. It is like a cable and when irritated can affect the hamstring, calf and foot. Nerve roots above this level form the femoral nerve and supply the front of the thigh and groin.
Sciatica Treatment – Pain Relief – Sydney Chiropractor
Symptoms & effects of Sciatica
Sciatic pain can be a mild to annoying ache to totally intolerable depending on the cause and severity. There are two main reasons for sciatic pain. The first is indirect irritation from inflammation of adjacent structures like joints, muscles, ligaments and discs. Symptoms range from mild to severe pain and tightness and pins and needles in the leg. Direct pressure on the nerve causes lack of sensation in the leg and foot and if severe enough paralysis. This is less common and can eventually lead to spinal surgery. Mostly this is caused by a ruptured disc where direct pressure is on the nerve. Spinal stenosis (blockage due to degeneration) and spinal tumors are rarer but need to be ruled out as a cause of direct pressure.
Sciatica is often caused by disc problems.
Sciatic Pain Relief Treatment at Massey Family Chiropractor
The chiropractor will examine your entire spine for spinal misalignment (and abnormal spinal bio-mechanics). Correction of the spinal misalignment (and abnormal spinal bio-mechanics) does not automatically repair the disc, muscles and joints however chiropractic treatment takes the load and stress off these structures so that they can heal over time – which in turn allows the sciatic nerve to recover.
What Causes Sciatica?
Disc Injury
The Mechanism of disc injury is compression, and torsion of the disc, under load. This happens when someone lifts and twists: especially away from the body. This can happen over time with repetitive movements (more common) or during lifting something very heavy or an unexpected load. Often the final straw can be quite a trivial or minor lift. Early morning is also a more dangerous time as the disc absorbs fluid and is more taut at this time. Occupations that involve prolonged period of sitting with bad posture increase your risk of disc and nerve injury. Cervical damage can be caused by whiplash or prolonged poor postures.
Joint Damage
Poor biomechanics/spinal misalignment due to poor posture and injuries over years can lead to premature arthritis resulting in inflammation leading to irritation to the sciatic nerve.
Stenosis/Spinal tumor
In the rare case that we discover a spinal tumor immediate referral to a surgeon is required.
Organic pain
Referred from an organ and needs to be identified and referred for medical care.
Steven has over 24 years of experience in the chiropractic and natural health field and has owned and run his own practice in Dee Why for 20 years. He was mentored by Dr Malcolm Heningham (former chiropractor of the year) and continued and developed the practice to this day.
Steven has a wide scope of practice having success with a wide variety of conditions. Apart from the obvious back pain, neck pain and headaches he particularly enjoys working with families.
Steven’s patients range from babies to the elderly. Philosophically Steven prides himself in tailoring chiropractic techniques to suit the individual. Steven is married and has 3 sons that keep him very busy outside of work.
こんにちは。Yukiと申します。カイロプラクティックとの出会いは体の調子が悪く日常生活が大変な時でした。出歩くにも痛みがあったので 色々と療法を試し、 効果が出なくて困っていたときに、カイロプラクティックに救われました。そのあとカイロプラクターになってしまった訳ですが、日々人間の 体の治癒力の高さに驚いています。今も夢中です!
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