Treating Sciatica with Chiropractic Care in Vacaville

Chiropractic doctors treat patients with sciatica on a regular basis. This condition is characterized by pain that starts in the low back or buttocks then radiates into one or both legs. The pain varies in frequency and intensity; minimal, moderate, severe and occasional, constant, frequent or intermittent.

Patients describe sciatic pain in Vacaville as achy, dull, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles or similar to an electric shock-like shooting leg pain. Other symptoms of sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatica is sometimes called as radiating or referred pain, neuralgia, or neuropathy. Many thought that sciatica is a disorder where it is actually a symptom of a disorder.

Sciatica in Vacaville is caused by nerve compression

Sciatica happens as a result of sciatic nerve compression. Spinal disorders that are known to cause sciatic nerve pain include bulging or herniated discs, lumbar spine subluxations, childbirth and pregnancy, spinal tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as constipation, diabetes, or sitting on one's back pocket wallet.

Piriformis syndrome is one common cause of sciatica. This one is named after the piriformis muscle, which can be found in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and helps in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs underneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is prone to hip arthritis, injury from a slip and fall, or a difference in leg length. These situations can cause cramping and spasm to the piriformis muscle, thereby pinching the sciatic nerve and cause inflammation and pain.

Chiropractic treatment of sciatica symptoms

Chiropractic treatment is meant to help the body to potentially heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement can cause pain while also reducing function and performance. The best thing about chiropractic care is that it is drug-free and non-invasive.

For a patient with sciatica, the type of chiropractic treatment to be provided will vary on what caused it. A sciatica treatment plan may include several types of treatment such as ultrasound, TENS, ice/cold therapies, and spinal manipulation. Here are some details on these chiropractic treatment modalities.

• Ultrasound: This one produces a gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrate deep into the soft tissues. It will improve circulation and reduce muscle cramping, spasms, stiffness, swelling, and sciatic pain.
• TENS: Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is a small box-like, portable muscle stimulating machine. Different intensities of electrical current can reduce muscle spasms and control acute pain. Chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehab professionals use a larger unit of TENS.
• Ice/Cold Therapy: It can help reduce inflammation and control your sciatic pain.
• Spinal Manipulation: Spinal adjustments are the core of chiropractic care. This adjustment will remove restricted movements of the spine and restore misaligned vertebral bodies back into their proper position in the spinal column. The best thing about spinal adjustments is that they can reduce the nerve irritability that causes inflammation, pain, muscle spasm, and other sciatica-related symptoms. Adjustments aren't painful and they're proven safe and effective.

During college, chiropractic students learn different types of adjustment techniques that allow them to treat several types of disorders and subluxations. Techniques may include a swift high-velocity thrust and a combination of minimal force and gentle pressure. Mastering each technique is considered an art that requires great skill and precision. Spinal manipulation is a unique treatment that differentiates chiropractic care from other forms of medical treatments. If you want to get yourself treated by a chiropractor, then go ahead and contact Dr. Alex Tam of Absolute Integrative Physical Medicine. He has been practicing chiropractic care for several years and has been known to treat many patients already. Give his office a call by dialing (707) 474-5688 and set yourself up for an appointment today.