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Those suffering from sciatica are often in their 40s
and 50s. It usually begins as an acute pain in the lower
back and then extends down the back of either leg. The
pain usually worsens with long periods of sitting or
standing.
Like a large river created by smaller streams, five
pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to
form the two sciatic nerves. The soft, pulpy disc between
each spinal bone is often involved. While a disc can't
"slip," it can bulge, herniate or rupture.
This can put direct pressure on the nearby nerves. The
result? Swelling. Inflammation. Pain when coughing,
sneezing or with others kinds of movement.
Sciatica often worsens with extended bed rest. Pain
pills or muscle relaxers are unable to correct the nerve
compression caused by the bulging disc. Physical therapy
merely works the area to increase your tolerance to
pain. Surgery often involves cutting away disc tissue
or removing bone to make room for the nerve.
Fortunately, sciatica often responds to safe, natural
chiropractic care.
Improving joint motion with a series of chiropractic
adjustments has produced results for millions. "Before"
and "after" images of the lower back often
show improved disc height and spacing. Many patients
report that they can resume their lives and that their
symptoms disappear. Without resorting to drugs or surgery.
Your chiropractic doctor is uniquely skilled to evaluate
and reduce the most common cause of sciatica nerve pain.
It's the natural approach to relief and better health.
There is hope!
How do you get sciatica?
It's easy to trace some spinal problems to an event,
such as a car accident. Yet, sciatica is often the result
of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, poor muscle
tone, excess weight or countless other causes set the
stage. Then, something simple like bending over to tie
your shoes can trigger an episode.
Can anything else cause sciatica?
Spinal decay can be another culprit. Instead of disc
thinning that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve roots,
arthritic bone spurs can intrude into the space normally
reserved for the nerve.
Can chiropractic cure sciatica?
Actually, chiropractic doesn't cure anything! Only
your body can do that. The chiropractic approach to
sciatica (and other health problems) is to help restore
the way your spine works, reducing nerve irritation
and revitalizing your own healing ability.
How long will I need chiropractic care?
Most sciatica patients are delighted with the results
they get after weeks or months of care. Naturally, this
varies from patient to patient. After a relapse or two,
many discover that years of neglect have produced spinal
instabilities that never fully heal. These patients
elect to continue with periodic chiropractic checkups.
It's up to you.
Photo: Iceberg
Caption: Like the visible part of an iceberg, symptoms
are obvious. Yet there can be years of hidden and undetected
spinal problems.
Photo: DC and patient in front of X-ray view box
Caption: Chiropractic adjustments can be very helpful
in improving spinal biomechanics and reducing nerve
pressure to the sciatic nerve roots.
Photo: Child eating melting ice cream sandwich
Caption: Like the changing shape of soft ice cream,
a common cause of sciatica is a bulging disc that puts
pressure on nearby nerves.
Photo: Lumbar anatomical model with callouts identifying
anatomical highlights
(Back Panel)
Safe and Natural
Chiropractic is a team approach to better health. As
you enjoy results, tell those you love. Explain how
millions enjoy relief and better health by restoring
the integrity of their spine and nervous system with
safe and natural chiropractic care.
(References)
© 1999 Patient Media, Inc
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