Sciatica is the inflammation of the largest and longest nerves in the body. The sciatic nerves are created by the gathering of nerves that extend from the spinal cord and run down through the pelvic bones, like individual streams that come together to form two mighty rivers. These mighty rivers of nerves run down each leg and branch out to feed information to run every function of the legs and feet. Sciatica is like having the feeder streams, mighty rivers and their branches set on fire.
Other symptoms associated with sciatica are thigh pain in the front, side or back, pins and needles, numbness, tenderness and crawling sensations anywhere about the lower extremity. Sciatica is brutal. Its suffers cannot sleep, have trouble walking, sitting, bending or standing. All sorts of activities from the waist down become difficult or impossible.
Sciatica unfortunately, is among those long burning illnesses that historically, have been mysteries to the medical community. Sciatica suffers have been frustrated in the past because any treatment tried has not helped or has only helped temporarily, often with unwanted side effects. According to Barry R. Cassileth, Ph.D., author and adjunct professor of medicine at the University of North Carolina, “Inadequate pain control often moves patients to seek more effective and less toxic alternatives Patients want gentle, effective, natural approaches to chronic illness.” This is where safe and conservative chiropractic care comes into the picture.
Chiropractic focuses on the function of the body, as it is coordinated and controlled by the nervous system. The health and ability of the nervous system to work is directly affected by the structural health of the spine. The way the spine lines up is critical because its 24 bones house the spinal cord which sends signals to the entire body. Any misalignment or malfunction of the spinal bones that protect the spinal cord can definitely create interferences to the signals sent to the organs, muscles and other tissues.
With sciatica, the misalignment of the spinal bones results in interference and irritation to the large sciatic nerves. This irritation can continue and get worse without spinal correction: Hyperactive nerve firing, malfunction, muscle spasm, pain and even disability may result.
Doctors of Chiropractic have been treating the probable cause of sciatica for years. Recent and ongoing research has been very promising. The emphasis is on making sure the support structure of the body and spinal bones are in their correct position. This allows full function of the nerves. By using gentle pressure to realign the spinal bones, damaging interferences are removed and the body is allowed to heal itself.
The fire on the river is controlled. Chiropractic may well be the answer to your sciatic pain.
Scott Finley DC CME CFMP
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