The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body, stretching from your lower back to your legs. When affected, it can cause pain ranging from the uncomfortable to the unbearable, and considerably disrupt normal daily activities.
Fortunately, chiropractic care has proven to be effective in relieving problems of sciatic nerve the most serious.
In this blog post, we'll explore why the sciatica relief offered by chiropractic is so effective and how it works 😉
In addition, herbal remedies can be used to replenish nutrients lost due to inflammation right through to spinal adjustments designed to restore posture and correct misalignments.
Get ready for a deep dive to understand not only the causes of these conditions, but also how to treat them safely with natural methods like chiropractic!
If you suffer from sciatic nerve pain, don't worry, it happens to a lot of people! 😰
According to estimates, between 5 and 10 % of people suffering from lower back pain are affected by sciatic neuralgia.
The pain that accompanies this pathology is a source of great discomfort. Fortunately, there are a number of effective solutions for sciatic nerve pain. Discover some of them in this article.
Sciatica or simple low back pain?
At least 7 out of 10 adults will experience lower back pain in their lifetime. Because lower back pain can be associated with sciatica (referred to as lumbosciatica), confusing the two ailments is common.
That's why, before presenting the methods for reducing or eliminating sciatic pain, here are the specific symptoms that characterize it.
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body.
Its roots are in the last vertebrae of the lower back, and it runs down through the buttock, thigh and calf to the feet. When this nerve is compressed or injured, the victim may feel :
- Pain that starts in the buttocks and goes down to the toes;
- Radiation (sensation of electrical discharge and burning);
- Numbness in the toes or tingling sensations;
- Motor difficulties due to loss of muscle tone.
With these different symptoms, it is not uncommon for the victim to experience significant discomfort when sitting for long periods. Sitting comfortably during meals or car journeys becomes difficult, for example! 😩
The main cause of sciatic nerve compression is a herniated disc. But osteoarthritis and tumors can also be responsible...
You can recognize sciatica by the signs listed above. A medical or chiropractic practice will ask you to undergo a CT scan or MRI scan in order to make a reliable diagnosis.
The main purpose of these tests is to check whether a herniated disc is added to the clinical picture or not!
Sciatica and chiropractic go hand in hand. To relieve their patients, chiropractors usually prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs such as Naproxen and Tylenol.
In cases of severe pain, morphine is sometimes prescribed. But these molecules only mask the pain and discomfort for a short time. So let's take a look at some really effective methods of treating sciatic nerve pain.
How can neurovertebral decompression relieve sciatic nerve pain?
SpineMED technology is a natural treatment in which no drugs are used to reduce back pain, whether caused by osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis or arthritis. herniated disc or sciatica.
The method also requires no surgical intervention. Do sciatic nerve and chiropractic have anything to do with natural treatment?
The use of SpineMED technology is associated with a spinal decompression table comprising a fixed part and a tilting section.
The patient is placed on the table. The pelvis is stabilized by a pelvic restraint. The upper body is also immobilized. The tilting part of the SpineMED table, controlled by a computer, is used to exert microtractions on precise segments of the spinal column.
The goal is to target intervertebral discs damaged by a herniated or bulging disc. Then, the microtraction movements exerted on a disc facilitate its oxygenation and its rehydration, while bringing nutrients to it. The pressure exerted on the nerves, the sciatic nerve in particular, then becomes less high.
This procedure does not put the patient at risk, and from the very first neurovertebral decompressionthe pain you feel is already diminishing.
This is confirmed by the testimony of one of our clinic's patients. She tried a number of unsuccessful solutions over a two-year period.
But in her case, the numbness in her toes disappeared after the first session and has never reappeared. Disc decompression is therefore comfortable, gentle and effective.
To see the testimonial, you can watch the video on our YouTube channel :
This is not an isolated case. According to studies on the effectiveness of neurovertebral decompression, nearly 9 out of 10 patients experience relief.
To further enhance the results obtained with SpineMED decompression, chiropractic care can also be added to the treatment protocol.
How can chiropractic help you?
Chiropractic is a set of natural techniques for stimulating the nervous system and increasing the mobility of the lumbar, dorsal and cervical vertebrae.
When you consult our chiropractic office, a diagnosis is necessarily established to define the origin of your pain. Then, the care chiropractic consist in manually making adjustments adapted to restore a good synergy between the vertebrae and the nerve structures. Sciatic nerve and chiropractor are thus associated.
A competent chiropractor can also promote optimal muscle relaxation by acting on the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
The range of treatments offered at our clinic, Chiro Ste-Rose in Laval, for example, will help you feel less pain. We also reduce the frequency of pain by restoring the biomechanics of vertebrae, nerves and muscles.
Herbal treatment of sciatic nerve pain
Certain plants and herbs can also be helpful in dealing with sciatica.
Fenugreek is one example. Its seeds have anti-inflammatory properties that you can enjoy. You can use the plant by preparing a fenugreek herbal tea. 🌱
It is also possible to make a paste with crushed fenugreek seeds and milk. The paste thus obtained will then be applied to the painful areas to reduce the inflammation.
However, fenugreek can cause an abortion. Its consumption is thus prohibited in the pregnant woman.
Other natural anti-inflammatories exist in the form of ointments, oils, capsules and ointments.
Examples include devil's claw, arnica, lavender and St. John's wort. Organic turmeric can also be used. To increase its effectiveness, it is often combined with black pepper.
Some practical advice if you suffer from sciatica
Everyday activities are often difficult to carry out when you have to fight against sciatic nerve pain.
In addition to your decompression treatment SpineMed and chiropractic, (sciatic nerve and chiropractor) it's a good idea to keep moving and active.
Here are a few tips on what to do at different times of the day.
Driving
When driving, shorten journey times to avoid sitting for long periods.
In addition, raising the driver's seat means you won't have to sit too low. To avoid having to stretch your legs when braking or accelerating, move the seat closer to the pedals.
A final precaution is to avoid having the legs at a 90° angle to the torso. To do this, tilting the seat back slightly backwards will help.
The right sleeping positions
If you have sciatica, the best position is to sleep on your back. In this posture, the intervertebral discs will be less stressed.
But if you prefer to sleep on your side, put a cushion between your knees and fold your legs into a dog-leg shape.
In addition, use a thick pillow to keep your head in place. in line with the spine.
In some cases, the sciatic nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle (a muscle in the buttock). In this case, the pain moves down the leg, not below the knee.
In such a situation, sleeping on the stomach with the thigh open is more advisable.
Pick up an object
When picking up an object from a table or picking up something from the floor, avoid bending your torso forward. This wrong move shifts the body's center of gravity forward and is hard on the intervertebral discs.
The correct gesture is to bend your legs to reach the object, while keeping your back straight. If the load is heavy, lift it with your arms bent (outstretched arms put extra pressure on the discs).
Even so, avoid lifting more than 5 kilos.
Finally, it is also recommended to balance loads in both hands. For example, instead of carrying a large bag in one hand, it is safer to carry two small bags on each side of the body.
Can sciatica be prevented?
Although the incidence of sciatica is high, there are some simple habits you can adopt to prevent it.
An extremely sedentary lifestyle can be the cause of sciatica. So take regular exercise.
In this way, you can maintain the flexibility and muscular strength of your back and abdomen. However, prefer gentle, symmetrical exercises that include stretching. Disciplines such as swimming are good for the muscles of the lower back.
If you work in an office and have to sit for long hours, get up from time to time to stretch your legs. Your chair should also support your lower back.
If you want to pick up an object behind you, instead of twisting your abdomen, pivot on your feet and turn over completely. Twisting is bad for the spine and intervertebral discs.
Backpacks are also more recommended. Both shoulders carry the load and the pressure on the spine is reduced.
Finally, quality bedding should promote optimal neck alignment. To do this, your mattress should be comfortable and the pillow used should not create too much of an angle around the neck.
What to remember? Sciatic pain doesn't have to be endured forever.
Among the most effective methods of combating sciatic neuralgia, chiropractic combined with SpineMED intervertebral decompression has already proved its worth in several studies.
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