The Best Sciatica Treatment Is Chiropractic Care
Sciatica is a painful group of symptoms that arise from the irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. The pain can be severe enough to be disabling, and it can negatively affect a patient’s quality of life. Fortunately, there are many effective sciatica treatment options available. At Levinson Chiropractic, Dr. Helene Levinson, D.C. frequently works with patients who suffer from sciatica, using a range of proven treatment modalities to resolve their condition.
Understanding the Basics of Sciatica
In order to understand sciatica, it’s necessary to have a basic understanding of the anatomy of the affected area. The sciatic nerve originates in the lower back. It then branches into two, with the nerve extending down each buttock and the back of each leg. The symptoms arise when something presses against the nerve. Usually, nerve compression is due to a spinal subluxation, herniated spinal disk, bone spur, or spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal).
The compression of the nerve results in inflammation and the following symptoms:
- Pain that extends from the lower back down a buttock and the back of a leg
- Pain that may range from a mild aching sensation to a sharp or burning sensation
- Pain that feels like an electric shock or jolt
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, coughing, or sneezing
- Numbness, tingling, and weakness in the affected leg or foot
It’s common for sciatica to affect only one side of the body, although some individuals may feel the symptoms in both sides.
Exploring the Best Sciatica Treatment Options
It’s important to note that sciatica in itself is not a disease or a disorder; rather, it’s a symptom of an underlying problem. At Levinson Chiropractic, Dr. Levinson focuses on comprehensive diagnostics designed to uncover the root cause of your symptoms. Then, she can develop a customized treatment plan that targets the cause. The result is the full resolution of your medical problem, instead of merely masking the symptoms temporarily.
If your pain is severe, you may benefit from a massage therapy session to ease inflamed, tight muscles. Treatment modalities like massage therapy, heat and cold therapy, electric stimulation and ultrasound can also help chiropractic care be more effective. Then, Dr. Levinson may perform manual adjustments that gently realign the spine to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve and reduce the inflammation.
Dr. Levinson often recommends VAX-D spinal decompression therapy for patients with sciatica. The VAX-D (vertebral axial decompression) table is a specially designed medical device that uses gentle pressure to increase the spaces between the structures of the spine. It’s a breakthrough treatment that effectively addresses the root causes of nerve-related pain.
All of these sciatica treatment options can help you return to a pain-free life. There is a body of evidence to substantiate the effectiveness and safety of chiropractic care for patients with sciatica. One study found that chiropractic manipulation was particularly effective for sciatica caused by herniated disks. Another study found that spinal manipulation therapy combined with a home exercise plan was more effective at resolving symptoms within 12 weeks than home exercises alone. In short, chiropractic care can help patients with sciatica get back to living life well.
Seeking Sciatica Treatment in Sandy Springs
You don’t have to live with sciatica pain any longer. Dr. Levinson, D.C. at Levinson Chiropractic uses evidence-based sciatica treatment plans to help her patients heal and attain relief of symptoms quickly.
Residents throughout the Sandy Springs and Atlanta areas can call us at (404) 257-0404 to request an appointment.
Posted In:
Chiropractic
Sciatica
