Wichita Chiropractor

As a Wichita Chiropractor for more than twenty years, I have assisted a significant number of individuals suffering from sciatic pain, so I know from experience just how incapacitating the pain from sciatica can be. Sciatica sufferers are regrettably all too familiar with the deep radiating pain that persists during the day and interferes with almost all of their daily activities.

There is a way to figure out if your low back pain is generated by sciatica. You are more than likely experiencing sciatica if your pain travels from your low back, through one or both sides of your buttocks, down the large sciatic nerve in the back of your leg(s), and possibly shoots into your knee(s). Also, sitting, as well as movement, can be painful. Frequently lying down will lessen, or sometimes even temporarily eliminate the pain. Even so, it’s important for you to know that sciatica will not go away without appropriate management.

Radiculopathy

One of the clinical diagnoses of sciatica is called a “radiculopathy”, a medical term that means simply that a disc has protruded from its natural position in the vertebral column and is putting pressure on the radicular nerve (nerve root) in the lower back, which forms part of the sciatic nerve. This kind of pressure is extremely painful.

Added pressure on the intervertebral discs, as well as imbalances in the muscles encompassing the spine, can happen during and after long periods of sitting, particularly in an awkward position. Usually, a particular event or injury doesn’t cause sciatica, instead sciatica tends to develop over time as a consequence of everyday wear and tear on the structures of the lower spine. Eventually the lower spine can lose its ability to function normally during ordinary stresses.

When this happens, the intervertebral disc develops small fissures or cracks that then allow the soft nucleus to protrude the disc outward. Pain is produced as the disc pushes on sensitive tissues. This condition is often known as a ruptured, or slipped, disc. Sciatica is the result of the disc pressing on the spinal nerve. With chiropractic manipulation and management, which often includes postural exercises, most disc conditions, including sciatica, can be completely relieved.

Periformis Syndrome

Another cause of sciatic pain is periformis syndrome. Periformis syndrome develops when the periformis muscle, for whatever reason, goes into spasm and irritates the sciatic nerve, which runs “deep to the muscle.” Along with chiropractic manipulation, this type of sciatica can be significantly relieved by sciatica stretches that your chiropractor can recommend.

If you are experiencing sciatic pain, it is extremely important for you to seek chiropractic attention. If you are in the Wichita area, as your Wichita Chiropractor, I look forward to helping you to get out of pain and get your life back!

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