How Spinal Decompression Treatment Can Help Your Sciatica

You never realize how much you take sitting down comfortably for granted, until you can’t do it anymore. Sciatica is a nerve condition that affects many adults, causing tingling, numbness and even stabbing pains down one or both legs. While there’s no known cure-all for sciatica, chiropractic care can help take pressure off your sciatic nerve.

Here’s what you need to know about sciatica’s causes and how a chiropractor in Naples, FL can provide the treatment you need.

WHAT IS SCIATICA?

Sciatica isn’t recognized as an actual medical condition. Instead, it’s a term commonly used to describe the sensations that occur when your sciatic nerve is compromised, whether it’s pinched or your body is out of alignment. Most patients report feeling sharp, stabbing pains, weakness, numbness and tingling going down one or both legs. (Feeling it in one leg is more common.)

Sciatica can be caused by problems with the lower lumbar and lumbosacral spine, as well as degenerative disc diseases. When the cartilage cushioning your spinal discs starts to break down, the nerve can be pressed upon, pinched or moved out of its normal position. If you have any of these conditions, you may deal with sciatic pain.

However, sciatic pain can occur even if you don’t have the aforementioned conditions. Sometimes unusual stretches, new exercise routines or injuries to the lower back and legs can trigger sciatica. It can affect anyone, and it’s quite common in adults. When it becomes chronic, however, it’s harder for patients to cope with the pain.

SCIATICA TREATMENT

If you visit a medical doctor for your sciatic pain, they will likely prescribe over-the-counter medications to relieve pain and inflammation, like aspirin or ibuprofen. Sometimes they’ll prescribe muscle relaxers, which prevent muscles from spasming around the sciatic nerve and causing pain or numbness.

Chiropractic care addresses the problem at its root cause, not just the symptoms. Because the problem is caused by muscles or discs pinching the sciatic nerve, your chiropractor in Naples, FL will work to take pressure off the nerve. This can be achieved through many forms, including manual adjustments, stretches, realignments and spinal decompression therapy. Chiropractic treatment is the best way to achieve long-term sciatic pain relief.

HOW SPINAL DECOMPRESSION THERAPY CAN TREAT YOUR SCIATICA

Spinal decompression (also known as vertebral axial decompression or VAX-D) can provide relief for long-term sciatic pain. The spine is gently stretched with belts, harnesses and a special traction table to separate the discs. This helps relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. The spine undergoes a series of stretches and periods of relaxation to increase nutrient flow to the spine and affected muscles. It takes about half an hour per session, and should be pain free. Most patients start feeling significant results within the first few weeks of treatment.

If you suffer from sciatica, seeking chiropractic care in Naples, FL can change your life. Hiler Chiropractic & Neurology is dedicated to helping our patients heal through a series of holistic modalities. Call today to set up your first appointment.