West Bend Chiropractor Explains How To Get Relief From Sciatica
Sciatica
On any given day in our West Bend chiropractic office, we might see a female patient who has experienced a recurring sharp pain in her calf. Or it could be a construction worker with pain that radiates down the back of his leg. Or perhaps our patient is a senior who has no pain, but who has lost strength in one leg. As varied as these symptoms are, they all point to one condition: sciatica.
Sciatica is a Common Complaint
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It exits the base of the spinal cord and divides to travel down the back of the legs. While the pain may be felt in the legs or feet, sciatic pain begins in the lower back at the place where the sciatic nerve is impinged by a subluxation.
Vertebral Subluxation
The lower back (lumbar spine) has 5 articulating vertebrae, which can become misaligned. In chiropractic terms, this is called a vertebral subluxation. The misaligned spinal bone may impinge directly on the sciatic nerve, or it may lead to other types of spinal dysfunction. Herniated discs are one consequence and muscle spasms are another. Any of these problems may lead to irritation and inflammation of the sciatic nerve.
Sacral Subluxation
The sacrum gets its name from the Latin and Greek words for strong bone. It is situated between the pelvic bones and provides support for the spine and torso. It isn’t easy to dislodge the sacrum or its rigid sacroiliac joints. However, it does happen. Did you ever fall from a horse? Were you shaken up in a car accident? Did you slip and fall on an icy sidewalk? Or did you misjudge the distance from the curb to the street and feel a reverberating jolt travel through your bones? Any of these incidents can result in the sacrum or its joints becoming subluxated. Over time, this spinal dysfunction will be felt as pain in the sciatic nerve.
Chiropractic Relieves Sciatic Nerve Pain
Before true healing can begin, the original cause must be located and corrected. Bed rest doesn’t help relieve sciatic pain because the subluxation is still there. As soon as you stand up, the pain will begin again. The same is true with pain medications. While they may temporarily silence pain signals, as soon as the drugs wear off, the pain returns. Chiropractic corrects the spinal dysfunction that is the source of sciatic nerve pain.
West Bend Chiropractors Offering Specialized Care for Sciatica
For West Bend residents suffering from sciatica, Dr. F.J. Schofield and Dr. Korie Gardner offer care that is customized to the patient’s needs. Only chiropractors have the training required to detect and correct the underlying cause of sciatica. Once a chiropractic adjustment has been made to correct the subluxation, healing of the surrounding soft tissues can begin. In time, inflammation subsides, resulting in permanent pain relief.
Are you in the vicinity of West Bend, Wisconsin, and suffering from sciatica? Dr. F.J. and Dr. Korie are here to help. Call (262) 334-8188 to schedule a consultation today.
