Sciatica & Other Nerve Pain Treatment

Chiropractic Health and Wellness Clinic provides chiropractic treatment for sciatica and other nerve pains that can be safer and more reliable than medication.

The effectiveness of our nerve pain management stems from addressing the source of the problem rather than just focusing on the symptoms.

Dr David Liew’s an experienced chiropractor for nerve conditions. And he’s been successfully treating patients suffering from them for 20 years.

While nerves carry pain signals to the brain from various parts of the body, they can also be a source of pain themselves.

Damage to nerves can result in chronic pain, varying in intensity from bothersome to almost unbearable.

Nerve pain (also known as neuropathic pain) can be localised to the area of nerve damage or “referred” – felt elsewhere in the body.

In many cases, the cause of nerve pain can’t be determined, even with comprehensive testing.

Nevertheless, nerve pain is common among people with abnormal cholesterol levels or high blood pressure, and those who are overweight.

Symptoms of a neuropathic disorder include sensations of tingling, burning, pins-and-needles, and electric shocks.

Nerve pain is often worse at night. This aggravates the problem because adequate sleep is necessary to help the body repair itself.

Don’t ignore nerve pain.

If the underlying cause of peripheral neuropathy remains untreated, severe complications can arise in the body’s extremities, resulting in sores that become infected and gangrene (tissue death). The most serious cases may require amputation.

Sciatica

The sciatic nerve, in the lower back, is the widest and longest nerve in your body. It travels from the back into the legs and feet.

Causes of sciatica

Sciatica is a result of pressure on the nerve in the back, most often from a herniated disc, or as a result of muscle strain or bone spurs (osteophytes). Other causes of sciatica include:

• Spinal stenosis – narrowing of spaces within the spine.
• Arthritis – joint inflammation – in the spine.
• Spondylolisthesis – when a vertebra slips onto the one beneath it.

Symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica results in the sensation of an electric shock or a shooting, searing, or burning pain that radiates down into the buttocks and the back of the legs.

The condition usually occurs on one side of the body, but it can affect both sides. Further, the pain is more severe in the legs than in the back.

Besides pain, other symptoms of sciatica include:

• Pins-and-needles
• Numbness or weakness in the foot or leg
• Difficulty walking

If sciatica isn’t treated, the condition can worsen over time. This may lead to serious and permanent damage, possibly causing loss of mobility and incontinence.

Natural sciatic nerve and sciatica pain relief

Health experts in the US – birthplace of chiropractic – say medication for sciatica typically lessens the pain only by half. Even worse, some sciatica medication may be no more effective than a placebo while causing side effects including dizziness, headaches, fatigue, and blurred or double vision.

Small wonder then that many people turn to alternative, natural and drug-free remedies and home therapies for sciatica pain treatment. They include:

• Massage therapy
• Heating pads
• Stretching exercises
• Yoga
• Turmeric supplements
• Valerian tea
• Chiropractic treatment

Pinched nerve

Causes of a pinched nerve

A pinched nerve is caused by excessive pressure on a nerve from surrounding muscles, bones, cartilage, or tendons. This compression impairs the nerve’s function, resulting in a sharp pain or dull ache.

Other symptoms of a pinched nerve include:

• Paraesthesia (pins and needles).
• Numbness.
• Muscle weakness.
• Sensation that a foot or hand has “gone to sleep”.

Potential causes of a pinched nerve are:

• Obesity.
• Injury.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Stress from repetitive activities.

Treatment for a pinched nerve

If the pressure on a pinched nerve isn’t relieved, it can lead to permanent damage and chronic pain.

Because a pinched nerve tends to be related to an issue with the musculoskeletal system, chiropractic therapy can be highly effective.

The root cause of a pinched nerve typically lies in muscles, bones, or joints that shift out of position or become misaligned.

Our chiropractic pinched nerve therapy – which includes pinched nerve in back treatment, sciatic nerve pain relief, and pinched nerve in neck treatment – can restore proper alignment and position in hard and soft tissue to ease the pressure on the nerve. Addressing the problem at its root can provide substantial and immediate pain relief.

Natural nerve pain relief

Natural nerve pain relief and home remedies include:

• Nerve pain gel.
• Anti-oxidant vitamin supplements.
• Staying well hydrated.
• Drinking juiced greens, such as spinach.
• Adding ginger and turmeric to your diet.
• Heat and cold therapies.
• Physiotherapy.
• Chiropractic care.

Sciatica and other nerve pain treatment with chiropractic

Chiropractic care for sciatica can be particularly beneficial because the condition is caused by a herniated disc in many cases. Often called a ruptured disc or slipped disc, a herniated disc most often occurs in the lower part of the back – home of the sciatic nerve.

Weakness or injury can cause a herniated disc when the inner section of the disc protrudes through the outer part. Dr David Liew can realign herniated spinal discs, targeting the source of the neuropathic pain.

Spinal traction

Spinal traction is a particularly effective treatment for sciatica. This spinal decompression therapy utilises a technique known as distraction. It painlessly and gently stretches sections of the spine to ease pressure on the discs. This also straightens the spine and improves the body’s ability to heal itself.

Spinal traction also helps to draw nutrients and fluid into the disc, which will promote re-hydration. Spinal decompression is also beneficial in cases of sciatica caused by bone spurs.

Diversified technique

Another effective chiropractic procedure for sciatica is the diversified technique. Diversified adjustment/manipulation entails a high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust to restore proper alignment and movement of the spine.

Direct trust method

A high-velocity, low-amplitude thrust typically results in cavitation of a joint to release air bubbles within it.

Myofascial release

For nerve pain caused by a muscle strain, Dr David Liew can use the myofascial release technique. Sustained but gentle pressure will be applied on the myofascial connective tissue that supports and protects muscles and bones.