Sciatica is a painful symptom which accompanies certain conditions. It is characterized by pain upon movement, sharp pains running from the lower back or buttocks into the legs, tingling, and numbness. It is caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest one in the body. A San Antonio chiropractic practitioner can provide sufferers with therapy that will reduce this painful nerve compression, improve joint motion, and alleviate discomfort.
Chiropractic health care is a holistic discipline that seeks to eliminate the pain at its source, restore normal energy flow through nerves, and movement of the spine. A combination of manual therapy techniques to promote long term healing is used, never any drugs or surgery.
The chiropractor will first seek to determine what condition is responsible for the sciatica. The patient’s medical background will be collected and the practitioner will examine him or her to evaluate such things as muscle strength, tendon reflexes, altered skin sensation, and range of motion. Sometimes an MRI or CT scan will also be needed to help identify the causative disorder in order that a course of therapy can be devised.
A chiropractor will commonly perform what are known as adjustments to bring alignment back to the spine or joints which are affected and responsible for the pain. These abrupt, high velocity, low amplitude movements are an effective means of relieving the misalignment, inflammation, and muscle spasms which are contributing to the development of sciatica. Pain is lessened or eliminated once nerve impingement is corrected.
Some other physical therapy modalities may also be used to relieve pain. The heat of ultrasound can be effective at improving circulation, and healing inflamed tissues. A TENS unit stimulates the muscles to relax and contract by means of mild electrical impulses, this in turn removes wastes and absorbs nutrients which promotes healing and eases discomfort.
During pregnancy, many expectant mothers are affected by sciatic pain which is exacerbated by the growing womb and the pressure it exerts on the spine and soft tissues. A San Antonio chiropractic practitioner will be able to care for pregnant women using a combination of methods that are not a danger to the unborn baby.
San Antonio chiropractic care alleviates toe, leg and back pain safely. You can get more information about a well-trained chiropractor at http://www.franklinchiropractic.com now.
