Alternative Approaches for Easing Sciatica Discomfort

Sciatica, a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the sciatic nerve, is associated with debilitating pain that radiates along the path of the nerve from the lower back through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg. Conventionally, sciatica treatments range from physical therapy and medication to epidural injections or, in severe cases, surgery. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that natural treatments can be just as effective. This article explores various natural methods, including chiropractic care, that can help alleviate sciatica pain.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the body's structure, mainly the spine, and its functioning. Chiropractors perform adjustments (manipulations) to the spine or other parts of the body with the goal of correcting alignment problems, reducing pain, and supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself. In the context of sciatica, chiropractic care can help relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, alleviate pain and promote healing.

Ice/cold therapy

This can help reduce inflammation and control sciatic pain.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

A TENS unit stimulates muscles with a mild variable electric current, which can help reduce muscle spasms and potentially alleviate sciatica pain.

Acupuncture

This traditional Chinese medicine technique involves inserting ultra-fine needles at specific points on the body. For sciatica, acupuncture aims to stimulate points located along the affected meridian pathway (the path through which life energy, or 'qi', flows) to promote energy flow and healing. Studies have suggested that acupuncture can help relieve sciatica pain, though more research is needed to understand its efficacy fully.

Yoga and Stretching

Gentle yoga stretches can help relieve sciatica pain by loosening tight muscles and improving circulation. Yoga can also help strengthen core muscles, leading to better posture and reduced nerve irritation. Certain yoga poses such as the pigeon pose or seated spinal twist specifically target the hips and can help stretch the sciatic nerve. It's essential to have a trained professional guide you initially to ensure you are performing the stretches correctly and safely.

Massage Therapy

Massage can help relieve sciatica by loosening tight lower back muscles that can compress the sciatic nerve. Techniques like deep tissue massage or neuromuscular massage can be particularly effective. In addition to pain relief, massage can also help reduce stress and promote overall relaxation, which can further contribute to pain relief.

Herbal Remedies

Some herbs and spices have anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce sciatic nerve inflammation and pain. Turmeric, for instance, contains curcumin, a compound with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. However, before using herbal remedies, it's essential to consult with a healthcare professional, as some herbs can interact with medications and cause unwanted side effects.

Natural treatments for sciatica are gaining popularity due to their low-risk profiles and potential effectiveness. Notably, chiropractic care, with its emphasis on holistic, non-invasive healing, can be a valuable tool in managing and relieving sciatica pain. However, remember that individual responses to treatment can vary, and what works best is often a combination of different therapies. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment method for sciatica to ensure it's appropriate for your specific situation.

How We Treat Sciatica 

Dr. Gordon Elder is a renowned authority in the field of Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique, a method of chiropractic treatment that concentrates on enhancing the functionality of the upper cervical spine and stimulating the body's innate healing capabilities.

When addressing sciatica, Dr. Elder uses a strategic two-phase approach to detect and correct misalignments. The initial step consists of a 25–30-minute screening consultation, during which Dr. Elder assesses if a vertebral misalignment could be the source of the patient's sciatica symptoms. Cutting-edge 3D imaging diagnostic methods are often deployed to accurately identify any misalignments in the upper cervical spine. Following this assessment, a succinct report outlining the results of the screening will be provided. Naturally, patients will have an opportunity to discuss any concerns or questions regarding their spinal health with Dr. Elder.

In the subsequent phase, Dr. Elder carries out a sequence of delicate, low-force manipulations to realign any misaligned vertebrae, thereby reducing the compression surrounding the sciatic nerve. After the first adjustment, patients are advised to schedule routine appointments over the next 3 months to guarantee the effectiveness of their adjustments. On average, most patients have between 10 to 15 appointments with Dr. Elder over a period of 3 to 5 months.

If sciatica is hindering your ability to fully enjoy your daily activities, consider reaching out to discuss Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care with Dr. Elder. The Blair Chiropractic Clinic is situated in Lubbock, Texas, and proudly serves residents of Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico.

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Sciatica Relief Can Be Found In Your Neck

Sciatica is a painful, sometimes debilitating condition that causes pain in the lower back, buttocks, and sometimes down into the legs. For some people, it's just a nagging pain that might make their day just a little miserable, while for other people it may prevent them from working, getting around, or doing the things they love to do. 

When sciatic nerve pain keeps coming back, it could be a sign that the problem is not below the waist where you feel it the worst—the root of the problem could be in your neck. 

Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatic nerve pain is generally localized to the buttock area. There may be a burning or aching deep inside, and it may interfere with your mobility. Sciatic pain can radiate upwards into the lower back, or downward into the legs. In the worst cases, the pain may go all the way down to the toes.

Most people may feel sciatica only on one side, but others may have pain to some degree on both sides. The pain may be aggravated by walking, bending, lifting or carrying heavy objects, doing certain exercises, or sitting or lying down for too long.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatic pain is caused by the compression or damage of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body. It runs from the lower back down through the buttocks and legs. The nerve compression or damage may be due to a bulging disc, an overly-tightened muscle, or bone spurs on the spine. 

Often, the source of problems with the sciatic nerve originates much higher. Often, it is a misalignment of the upper cervical spine that causes a domino effect down the rest of the back. 

The upper cervical spine is the top part of the spine that runs through the neck and is prone to injury. Once there is a misalignment in the upper cervical spine, it throws the entire musculoskeletal system off-kilter. Until the upper cervical spine is realigned, problems will continue to reappear. 

How We Treat Sciatica

Dr. Gordon Elder of the Blair Chiropractic Clinic in Lubbock, Texas offers patients a natural, drug-free, non-invasive treatment that helps reduce or eliminate sciatic pain. Dr. Elder uses advanced diagnostic tools and modern, specialized methods to restore the upper cervical spine's proper alignment. Once this is done, many other necks, shoulder, and back problems fade as the strain on them is removed. 

Dr. Elder is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique. Blair practitioners use state-of-the-art 3D diagnostic imaging technology to perform superior assessments. Once they understand your unique anatomy, the next step is to facilitate healing through precise adjustments using gentle pressure. 

After the patient begins treatments and the spine is realigned, the body's natural healing mechanisms kick into gear to help restore health and repair damage. Beyond that, Dr. Elder recommends regular check-ups to ensure the alignment is holding. 

If your sciatic nerve pain is getting you down, contact Dr. Elder to hear how he can help you. Our areas of coverage include Lubbock, Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, and El Paso in Texas, as well as Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Sciatica: An Alternative Treatment To Help Alleviate This Condition

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a common lower back condition that causes pain and discomfort for millions of people worldwide. Triggered by irritation to the sciatic nerve, sciatica can range from mild to completely debilitating pain in the lower back, buttocks, and legs. For some individuals, this condition will resolve itself with time and rest. However, if sciatica continues to worsen over time, it could indicate a more serious issue in the upper cervical spine. 

Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

Patients who suffer from sciatica will often complain of a burning, shooting pain deep in their buttocks and in the lower back. Other symptoms of sciatica may include radiating pain in the legs or feet, numb extremities, difficulty walking, tingling in the limbs or buttocks, and pain when seated for long periods of time. 

This condition can be triggered by any number of things, but frequently comes about due to a bulging/misaligned disc or vertebral misalignments in the spinal column — often these kinds of injuries occur due to incorrectly lifting heavy objects or other impact injuries through sporting.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Sciatica

The upper cervical spine is surrounded by an extensive network of nerves, some of which lead into and communicate with the sciatic nerve. While we may not immediately notice a minor misalignment in the upper cervical spine, these kinds of injuries often manifest in conditions like sciatica.

If misaligned vertebrae compress or pinch these nerves, it can lead to a cascade of nerve flow disruptions and misfires around the sciatic nerve, potentially triggering a range of sciatica symptoms. 

How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works for Sciatica

Dr. Gordon Elder is an expert in chiropractic treatment known as the Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Technique. Blair's chiropractic treatment focuses on restoring function to the upper cervical spine and re-engaging the body’s natural healing mechanisms.

When it comes to sciatica, Dr. Elder employs a two-step approach for locating and healing misalignments. First, Dr. Elder will attend a 25–30-minute screening appointment ⁠to determine whether a vertebral misalignment is causing the patient’s sciatica. Advanced 3-D imaging diagnostic techniques will likely be used to pinpoint the exact location of any misalignments in the upper cervical spine. Following this, you’ll receive a brief report on the findings of the screening process. Of course, during this time you’ll have an opportunity to ask Dr. Elder any questions about your spinal health. 

Next, Dr. Elder will perform a series of gentle, low-force adjustments to reposition any misaligned vertebrae and alleviate the build-up of pressure around the sciatic nerve. Following the first adjustment, patients are encouraged to return for regular appointments for at least 3 months to ensure their adjustments are set. Over the course of 3 to 5 months, most patients average between 10 to 15 appointments with Dr. Elder.  

If sciatica is preventing you from enjoying your everyday life, get in touch to speak with Dr. Elder about Blair Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care. Located in Lubbock, Texas, Blair Chiropractic Clinic also services Amarillo, Midland, Odessa, Abilene, El Paso in Texas, and Hobbs in New Mexico. 

Published by Vic Belonogoff: A Blair Chiropractic doctor helped heal vertigo, among other conditions that Vic Belonogoff suffered from, and it gave him his life back. He continues to see an upper cervical chiropractor as a preventative measure. Vic Belonogoff is passionate about upper cervical chiropractic and how much it helps patients.

Sciatica & Upper Cervical Chiropractic

In this video Dr. Elder talks about what sciatic pain is and isn’t. He then discusses different treatment options and why it makes sense to try less invasive methods first.

A lot of people who get pain in the leg are told, or think that it is sciatica. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that runs down the back of the leg. When it comes out from the spine, it comes from from several different parts and they merge and come apart and merge again. Then there are nerves about the size of the thumb that are running down through your buttocks down the side of the leg like a line. If you have a pain that is broad (about the size of your hand) running down the back of your leg, that is not sciatica; it can be a pinched nerve of some kind, but not sciatica. 

If it is like a line of fire going down your leg and it is really bad, and goes down the back of your leg and the bottom of your leg, down to the heel and then shoot out the toe, that is what sciatica feels like (or so I’ve been told). 

That nerve can be pinched in a couple of different places. It can be pinched because of a muscle that is too tight in the buttocks, it can be where the nerves come out from the spine because the spinal pieces are not lined up properly or somehow smashing and swelling and causing problems on the roots of the nerves themselves. 

What I’ve noticed is probably about fifty-percent of my practice is made up of people with low back pain and a high percentage of those have sciatica.

When I adjust their neck, the sciatica goes away.

Now, there have been a few where it has not gone away, but we send them to another chiropractor or therapist to help get the last percentage away. It will go down a little bit with me, their moving better, their other symptoms go away, but the problem is so progressed that they need more than just closing the barn door so to speak. So we send them to someone else, they get the rest of it, and it gets fixed. 

In some cases, people do need low back surgery, but please do not rush to that. There is a diagnosis code on the books for failed low-back surgery syndrome because it happens so often. So that should not be the first choice. First choice, look at your posture, look at your nervous system, and get those fixed.  If you get to the point where you have to go around in a wheelchair, then you might think about surgery.