People diagnosed with sciatica generally experience pain and discomfort on one side of the body and in just one leg.
The good news is that in most cases, sciatica can be relieved through alternative methods without requiring surgery. Treatment provided by a sciatica doctor eliminates the debilitating, shooting pains indicative of sciatica that makes it nearly impossible to sit, stand or engage in physical activity for even a short time.
What Causes Sciatica?
Bulging discs are a leading cause of sciatica, a condition in which compression of the radicular nerve root causes radiating pain. Located in the lower (lumbar) region of your back, radicular nerves branch out from the spine to innervate various part of your body.
Chronic pain, numbness and tingling throughout the lower half of your body may indicate the sciatic nerve is also being irritated due to bulging disc. The sciatic nerve is involved in a complex system of nerves branching from your lower back into your buttocks, hips and legs.
Non-Surgical Sciatic Nerve Pain Treatment Options
It is entirely possible for you to achieve pain relief without relying on medications or surgery that may or may not be successful. Holistic sciatica treatment can include one or more of the following:
Chiropractic Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments alleviate nerve compression pain due to sciatica by decompressing a misaligned spine so that bulging discs no longer press against sensitive nerve roots. In addition, spine adjustments improve blood flow to the spine to facilitate the exchange of nutrients essential to healing disc damage.
Spinal Decompression
Spinal decompression therapy involves a type of motorized traction that may help relieve back pain due to sciatica. Spinal decompression therapy works by gently stretching the spine and is completed over a series of sessions. Treatment may last 30 to 45 minutes and you may require 20 to 28 treatments over five to seven weeks.
Ultrasound Therapy
Therapeutic ultrasound is an advanced chiropractic technique provided by our Hollywood FL chiropractor to treat back pain and sciatica using deep heat generated by sound waves. Chiropractors deliver ultrasound waves through a hand-held device to stimulate healing of soft tissues by promoting blood and other nutrient-rich fluids to injured areas of the back. Ultrasound therapy is not only an excellent alternative to surgery or medication for sciatica but can also ease chronic pain due to muscle spasms, strains and joint injuries. heating the muscles.
Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS)
The TENS device transmits electrical pulses through your skin to release endorphins and control and reduce pain signals emitted by your central nervous system. TENS is an effective sciatic nerve pain treatment that also reduces pain caused by bursitis, arthritis and tendonitis.
Epidural Steroid Injections
Injections of steroids into the area around the spinal cord bathe inflamed nerve roots with anti-inflammatory medicine to soothe the irritation of nerve roots. Steroids effectively reduce pain by preventing the production of prostaglandin, a chemical responsible for inflammation and swelling of soft tissues. Cell receptors designed to “take up” steroids are found throughout your central nervous system.
Heat and Ice Therapy
Our sciatica doctor may recommend heat therapy to ease pain and stiffness and encourage healing of damaged back muscles and other tissues. Cryotherapy (ice therapy) alleviates the radiating pain of sciatica nerve compression by reducing nerve activity and temporarily decreasing blood flow to particular areas of your back.
Lifestyle Changes
If you tend to lead a sedentary lifestyle, adding 10 to 15 minutes of exercise and stretching to your daily routine is a great way to improve range of motion, strengthen weak back muscles and minimize your risk for disk problems. If you are overweight, discuss starting a weight loss program with your Hollywood Fl chiropractor. Carrying extra weight stresses your spine and puts excess pressure on disks and the spine.
Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain in Hollywood FL
Chiropractors have in-depth knowledge of how the musculoskeletal and central nervous system interact to provide proven techniques for optimal functioning of all body systems. Chiropractic treatments not only address and treat the root cause of back, spine or neck pain but also offer complementary therapies that can significantly improve your overall quality of life.
We believe every patient is unique and carefully develop personalized sciatica treatment plans for all patients. Call Back to Mind to start enjoying drug-free, surgery-free relief from the pain and numbness of sciatica. We have four chiropractic locations in the Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood area. also offer free consultations and two locations for your convenience. Immediate appointments are available and most insurance plans are accepted.