What’s with my “Crazy Sciatic Nerve?”
SCIATICA. If you’ve not experienced “Sciatica,” “Sciatic Neuritis,” as it is referred to, then you’ve not had the often intense pain that typically begins in the low back and buttocks, then travels down the leg. It is often annoying and sometimes painful. Just what IS WITH the Sciatic Nerve anyway?
Some of the Ancients believed that the sudden, sharp attack of sciatica struck people as an evil display of demon magic. Not long after, the Romans recommended leeches, hot coals, and blood letting for treatment. In today’s modern world, some people believe Sciatica is the result of a bad mattress, being tired, eating too much, sleeping wrong, as well as more obvious activities such as weekend warrior sports and lifting heavy objects.
While these latter actions can exacerbate the condition, they are not the cause. Definitions, history, and folklore aside, the question still remains: Just exactly what is with that Crazy Sciatic Nerve?
Most of the time, the pain and numbness is related to biomechanics - the relationship of function and motion of the spine and discs and joints and related soft tissues, such as tendons, ligaments, and muscles …oh my! Biomechanically, when the spine (the frame) doesn’t align and move properly, there will be altered forces placed upon muscles, ligaments (including discs), tendons, nerves, and joints. Over time this causes breakdown of the soft tissues, leading to weakness, inflammation, and pain. If one of those structures breaking down is a disc, that disc presses into the nerves that make up the sciatic nerve…and presto!....the sciatic nerve is screaming at you.
There are many varied solutions to treating sciatica. However, Spinal Disc Decompression is a proven effective method that is gaining favor among doctors and patients. This method involves a gentle, low stretching force to the spine. In turn, it helps relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, nourish the disc, and make the disc healthier and stronger.
When this happens, the spine and nervous system are not as apt to break down. The disc and sciatic nerve are given an initial chance to heal, and pain diminishes. Couple this with increased awareness of proper posture, body mechanics, and nutritional support, then you can progress to the next phase of healing, which involves regaining range of motion as well as re-educating nerves and muscles so that the input to your body systems recovers optimally.
Goals of therapy are geared to first to pain management, flexibility and education. Next, the focus is providing support to the “whole system” so that movements are stronger and more coordinated. Later phases in the rehab process allow for quicker movements and for more endurance to be developed. Yes, it takes time and work; it’s not a quick fix for pain. While medications and other therapies have great value, Spinal Disc Decompression is unique in the way it unloads and nourishes the disc and sciatic nerve.