Back Clinic Sciatica Chiropractic Team. Dr. Alex Jimenez organized a variety of article archives associated with sciatica, a common and frequently reported series of symptoms affecting a majority of the population. Sciatica pain can vary widely. It may feel like a mild tingling, dull ache, or burning sensation. In some cases, the pain is severe enough to make a person unable to move. The pain most often occurs on one side.
Sciatica occurs when there is pressure or damage to the sciatic nerve. This nerve starts in the lower back and runs down the back of each leg as it controls the muscles of the back of the knee and lower leg. It also provides sensation to the back of the thigh, part of the lower leg, and the sole of the foot. Dr. Jimenez explains how sciatica and its symptoms can be relieved through the use of chiropractic treatment. For more information, please feel free to contact us at (915) 850-0900 or text to call Dr. Jimenez personally at (915) 540-8444.
Chiropractor Near Me: Due to his previous back injury history, George Lara suffered a recent back injury which he was unfortunately unable to recover from through traditional treatment. That’s when the VA recommended him to seek chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez, ultimately changing his quality of life. George Lara had degenerative disc disease, or DDD, and sciatic nerve pain before receiving treatment with Dr. Alex Jimenez. George Lara describes how much his life has improved with chiropractic care and he’s grateful of the services and care he received. George Lara recommends Dr. Alex Jimenez as the non-surgical choice for back pain, among other spine health issues.
Chiropractor Near Me
Chiropractic care is a means to diagnose and treat health problems that affect the nerves, muscles, bones, and joints of the body. A healthcare provider who supplies chiropractic care is known as a chiropractor. Adjustment of the spine, known as manipulation, is the basis of care. Chiropractors also use other kinds of treatments. Your physician will ask about your goals for your health history and therapy. It’s important to inform your physician about any physical problems you may have which make it difficult for you to do particular things.
We are blessed to present to you�El Paso�s Premier Wellness & Injury Care Clinic.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to subscribe and share us.
Mr. and Mrs. Dominguez first received chiropractic care with Dr. Alex Jimenez after suffering automobile accident injuries. Martha Dominguez expresses how much their quality of life has changed since receiving chiropractic treatment and physical rehabilitation with Dr. Jimenez along with the trainers and staff at Push. Mr. and Mrs. Domingues are grateful for the services they’ve received for their automobile accident injuries and their sciatica pain.
Sciatica Pain Treatment And Chiropractic Care
Chiropractic care can help alleviate automobile accident injuries. Moreover, chiropractic care is totally non-invasive and drug-free, so there are fewer dangers involved with this holistic treatment. Furthermore, chiropractic techniques concentrate on treating the pain at its source, rather than masking it with prescription painkillers. Chiropractors will begin with an evaluation and appointment. From that point, they can perform a physical evaluation and run any required diagnostics to confirm the identification of the diagnosis. The chiropractor will then work on developing a customized treatment program with the patient’s needs and lifestyle in mind.
We are blessed to present to you�El Paso�s Premier Wellness & Injury Care Clinic.
As El Paso�s Chiropractic Rehabilitation Clinic & Integrated Medicine Center,�we passionately are focused treating patients after frustrating injuries and chronic pain syndromes. We focus on improving your ability through flexibility, mobility and agility programs tailored for all age groups and disabilities.
If you have enjoyed this video and/or we have helped you in any way please feel free to subscribe and share us.
Low back pain occurs due to a variety of causes, which is why it is often poorly diagnosed and treated. As there are many mechanisms by which lower back pain happens, such as trauma, overuse from weight lifting for example, and repetitive motion, it’s important to mention that this article will only focus on sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica.
Sciatica refers to pain and other symptoms which radiate or travel down the leg, associated with numbness, tingling or burning sensations, and weakness in one or both lower extremities. Many patients complain of sharp, intense pain and discomfort when sitting and driving, affecting their capacity to bear weight properly when one has to walk or move. Their pain can shoot down the length of the sciatic nerve, into the buttocks, down the back of the leg, into the calf, and lastly, into the ankle and foot. The sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body, can become compressed or entrapped by certain muscles leading to sciatica.
Based on the location of this impingement, the individual will present with a variety of symptoms. If the health issue is diagnosed to originate in the low back, then the problem normally occurs around the hole in which the nerve exits the spine, resulting in symptoms surrounding the entire lower extremity. If the health issue is correctly diagnosed to originate from the buttocks, it most often includes the piriformis muscle because the sciatic nerve travels beneath it as it makes its way down the length of the leg. The source of this type of sciatica may involve different muscles just below the piriformis, otherwise known as a group of muscles called the hip rotators.
If the health issue is not in the lower back, or buttocks, then the problem is very likely to have occurred in the hamstrings, primarily at one of the muscles where the plantar nerve divides the hamstrings at the back of the thigh. The sciatic nerve may also manifest symptoms when compressed in the calf, however, these symptoms will often only be reported below the knee.
ART and PNF Treatment for Sciatic Nerve Pain
In regards to treatment, sciatica can be worked out by performing active release techniques, or ART, through the release of the entire nerve where it is being compressed. The objective when using ART for sciatic nerve pain would be to maneuver the nerve while trapping the muscle(s) in their own position. The nerve is then pulled from beneath the muscle. Also, using rehabilitation exercises through specific stretches and strengthening exercises of the muscle groups involved may allow for faster healing alongside chiropractic care to boost the communication between the spine and the positioning of the nerve entrapment/compression.
One of the most common stretching methods for sciatica is PNF or proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation. PNF is a sort of stretch that produces a rebound relaxation of the muscle. PNF is a more advanced kind of flexibility training that involves both the contraction and stretching of the muscle group being targeted. PNF is a stretching technique utilized to increase range of motion and flexibility. PNF increases range of motion by increasing the length of the muscle and increasing neuromuscular efficiency. PNF stretching has been found to increase ROM in trained, as well as untrained, individuals. Effects can last 90 minutes or more after the stretching has been completed. PNF stretching was initially created as a form of rehabilitation, and to that effect, it is very effective. It’s also excellent for targeting specific muscle groups as well as increasing flexibility and enhancing muscle power and strength.
Four theoretical physiological mechanisms for increasing range of motion were identified using PNF stretching: autogenic inhibition, reciprocal inhibition, stress relaxation, and the gate control theory.�Autogenic Inhibition is what occurs in a contracted or stretched muscle in the form of a decrease in the excitability because of inhibitory signals sent from the same muscle.�Reciprocal inhibition is what occurs in the TM when the opposing muscle is contracted voluntarily in the form of decreased neural activity. It occurs when an opposing muscle is contracted in order to maximize its contraction force, and it relaxes.�Stress relaxation is what occurs when the musculotendinous unit (MTU), which involves the muscles and the connected tendons, is under a constant stress.�The gate control theory is what occurs when two kinds of stimuli, such as pain and pressure, activate their respective receptors at the same time.
How to Perform a PNF Stretch
The practice of doing a PNF stretch involves the next steps. The muscle group to be stretched is first placed so that the muscles are stretched and under pressure. The individual then contracts the muscle, using a band for 5 to 6 seconds while a partner, or immovable object, applies sufficient resistance to inhibit motion. Please be aware, the effort of contraction ought to be relevant to the individual’s amount of conditioning. The contracted muscle group is then relaxed and a controlled stretch is used for approximately 20 to 30 seconds. The muscle band is then allowed 30 seconds to recover and the process is repeated 2 to 4 more times.
Information differs marginally regarding time recommendations for PNF stretching, determined by which healthcare professional you’re speaking to. Although there are conflicting responses to the question of how long should a patient contract the specific muscle group for and how long should they rest for between each stretch, it’s been found through a study of research and patient experience, that the above timing recommendations offer the most advantages from proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching.
Furthermore, certain precautions will need to be taken when performing PNF stretches because they may put additional stress on the targeted muscle group, which can boost the possibility of soft tissue injury. To reduce this risk, it’s essential for the patient to include a conditioning phase before a maximum, or intense effort is utilized.
About the Active Release Technique or ART
The active release technique, or ART, is among the newest treatments in the world of chiropractic. ART is used to target muscle, nerve, and tendon problems. It is also used to treat blood vessel problems. Quite a few studies have been conducted and these have generated positive results which reveal that ART is really an effective treatment method. A lot of individuals nowadays try ART since so many are experiencing muscle problems.
Oftentimes, individuals, particularly the older ones, wake up and they feel that their body is quite hard to move. There are also those who start to feel their range of motion getting more and more limited with time. A number of the most common body parts that suffer from limited selection of motion include the neck, the arms, and the back. For many individuals, there is also restricted range of motion. There are numerous factors that cause restricted range of movement. The active release technique can be used to improve limited mobility as well as improve sciatica symptoms associated with a variety of health issues.
How ART Affects Limited Range of Motion
ART therapists initial assess the muscles that they are supposed to take care of. They check the texture, the stiffness, and needless to say, their freedom. Since the groundwork is conducted, the therapists would then attempt to elongate the muscles so as to break the adhesions. The stretching is usually conducted with the management of vein in consideration. Also, the practitioner would need to ask the patient to move the affected body parts in ways prescribed by the practitioner. So essentially, ART is a joint-venture. Practitioner and patients work together in order to generate great medical outcomes.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
The active release techniques, or ART, and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitator, or PNF, stretches are therapeutic procedures commonly utilized for the common practice of releasing tension in the soft tissues as well as increasing the range of motion of the human body. Although a variety of treatment options are available to help treat sciatica, ART and PNF can be used by qualified and experienced healthcare professionals to safely and effectively improve and manage sciatic nerve pain. Moreover, alternative treatment options, such as chiropractic care, and strengthening exercises can also be used in combination with these therapeutic methods to help speed up the recovery process.
The Future of ART and PNF
It’s important to remember that both ART and PNF should only be run by accredited practitioners. Healthcare professionals are not just expected to find basic instruction and permit but they are also expected to have attended numerous workshops and seminars about the subject. In some countries, credential tests even must be passed. In addition, it ought to be noted that ART and PNF must be conducted on muscle stiffness not due to blunt trauma. The condition should also not involve inflammation.
There are many healthcare professionals who focus on ART and PNF. A few of these include chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, medical physicians, and even athlete trainers. The active release technique and the proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretches helps people do things that they used to do. It helps them become more efficient at work as well as be practical in their daily lives. Due to the health benefits of ART and PNF, more and more people from the medical and therapeutic world are learning how to concentrate on it. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
It has been compared to the worst possible type of pain anyone can imagine. Other people say it’s even worse than labor because the pain doesn’t seem to have an end to it. These are some of the most common descriptions of sciatica, where a severe case of this excruciating nerve pain can bring anyone to their knees. That’s why lots of patients don’t simply say they have sciatica, they’re victims of its symptoms.
Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, is associated with many well-known symptoms, however, is sciatica really that common? What type of treatments are available to help alleviate sciatic nerve pain?And does a person’s everyday activities play a part in whether they will develop sciatica in the first place? Dwight Tyndall, MD, FAAOS answers several of the most commonly asked questions patients need to know regarding their sciatica.�Dr. Tyndall is a pioneer in the area of outpatient spine surgery, however, he is also a strong proponent of non-surgical treatment methods, including chiropractic care, to manage back pain and sciatica. Dr. Tyndall shares his perspectives on sciatic nerve pain and discusses what may indicate a need for surgery in severe cases of sciatica.
What is Sciatica?
According to Dr. Tyndall, sciatica is both a spinal disorder and a catch-all term for a group of symptoms. Sciatic nerve pain, best referred to as sciatica, is a spinal condition characterized by nerve pain which radiates down the length of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the entire human body, and it’s made up of spinal nerves from the vertebrae level L4 in the lumbar spine down to the vertebrae level S1 in the sacrum. Anything which impacts those nerves can lead to sciatica. Moreover, sciatica’s symptoms may be grouped under the medical term dysesthesia, meaning any sort of abnormal sensation. Most patients describe sciatica as an odd feeling radiating out of their lower back into their buttocks and down to their thigh and calf, often radiating as far down into the foot.
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Dr. Tyndall explains that sciatica’s hallmark symptom include pain in the low back or buttocks which radiates down one or both legs. Signs and symptoms which shouldn’t be ignored include pain which doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatment options and/or pain which greatly restricts an individuals activity level and quality of life. Some red flags which may signal the need for surgical interventions associated with sciatic nerve pain include: reduced motor function in one part of the leg, usually a drop foot at which the patient can’t lift thei foot off the ground, weakness in one or both legs and bladder or bowel changes.
Is Sciatica the Same as Lumbar Radiculopathy?
“Most people see sciatica to be more severe than lumbar radiculopathy, but radiculopathy, which comes from the Latin radix significance origin, is a condition that affects the nerve during its origin as it exits the spinal cord. Sciatica and lumbar radiculopathy can be brought on by a pinched nerve from the spinal column due to a disc herniation or stenosis, but kidney problems or a sinus issue, like endometriosis, may also pose sciatica-like symptoms,” states Dr. Dwight Tyndall.
Who’s at Risk of Developing Sciatica?
“By my clinical experience, men and women have exactly the same identical risk of developing sciatica. Obesity also doesn’t play a role, either. Concerning age classes, however, sciatica has been estimated to peak during the ages of 30 and 40, and the risk usually declines as people begin reach their 50’s,” added Dr. Tyndall.
How Common is Sciatica?
As mentioned by Dr. Dwight Tyndall, sciatica and low back pain frequently occur together, but sciatica is much less common. While 80 percent of individuals experience low back pain at any point in their lives, just 2 to 3 percent will actually develop sciatica.
When Should a Person with Sciatica See a Healthcare Professional?
According to Dr. Tyndall, an individual with symptoms of sciatic nerve pain will need to see a healthcare professional if their pain is not reacting to over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or if these create weakness in the leg. Also, a person ought to see a doctor if their pain is so severe that their well-being is affected. Should the sciatica include bladder or bowel changes, the individual must seek immediate medical attention for their health issues. Furthermore, it’s important for a person with sciatica to seek the help of a healthcare professional to rule out any possible underlying causes which may be responsible for their symptoms.
What Type of Healthcare Professional Can Help Treat Sciatica?
According to Dr. Tyndall, any healthcare professional qualified and experienced in spine health issues, such as a chiropractor, can help diagnose, treat and even prevent sciatica. A doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, is a healthcare professional who utilizes spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, among other non-invasive treatment methods, to help correct any spinal misalignments, or subluxations, which may be causing sciatic nerve pain. A chiropractor may also recommend a series of stretches and exercises, as well as lifestyle modifications, to help speed up the patient’s recovery process. Chiropractic care is often the preferred alternative treatment option to help alleviate sciatica without the need for drugs and/or medications or surgery. However, if a patient is experiencing any of the red flag symptoms mentioned above, it may be necessary to visit a spine surgeon in order to discuss the treatment options. Always make sure to consider surgical interventions as a final alternative if your sciatica doesn’t respond to non-surgical treatment methods.
What are the Causes of Sciatica?
“There are many external factors, but among the greatest is your occupation. Someone who operates in a manual labor industry, like construction, has a higher likelihood of developing sciatica since they put more wear and tear on their back. Tiger Woods is an example of this. He acquired sciatica because his career as a golfer placed significant stress on his spine. There is a genetic element as well, as a few young men and women who do not operate in a strenuous job develop sciatica, however, the genetic tie is not clearly defined. Lastly, pregnancy may also result in sciatica. As the infant develops, it can put pressure on the lumbar spine, pelvis, and sciatic nerve. However, delivering the infant is usually enough to eliminate sciatica caused by pregnancy,” says Dr. Tyndall.
How Often is Sciatica Likely to Re-Occur?
“This question isn’t easy to answer because many factors contribute to whether a person will develop sciatica more than once. Sciatica is likely to re-occur if the spinal disc that led to sciatica the very first time is severely damaged. The more damaged the disk, the more likely it is to re-herniate and lead to sciatica again. Also, if the patient continues to work in a high-physical stress environment, the risk of re-ocurrence increases.
How is Sciatica Diagnosed?
“The physical examination is essential to a sciatica diagnosis. The straight-leg raise test is the traditional diagnostic tool during a physical examination. In this test, a patient be asked to lift up their leg when lying down. If that induces pain down their leg, the patient could have sciatica. Other physical tests healthcare professionals frequently utilize are knee extension tests, where the patient expands their knee to a straight position, like a straight-leg lift. Additionally, healthcare professionals will as patients to walk on their tip toes or on their heel to measure their potency. Other healthcare professionals will also observe how strong they are going down stairs or simply walking. Many doctors can determine a sciatica analysis from a physical examination, but if imaging studies are needed to learn more, the physician may recommend a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.
What Treatments are Effective for Sciatica?
As mentioned before by Dr. Dwight Tyndall, there is a variety of treatment options available to help alleviate the symptoms of sciatica. Approximately 80 percent of patients will improve with non-surgical treatment options. Several OTC medications, such as NSAIDs (eg, ibuprofen), are also effective in the management of sciatic nerve pain. If the sciatica does not subside, the doctor may prescribe a low-dose steroid pack (to be obtained over one week). If this doesn’t manage the sciatic nerve pain, then the patient may receive an epidural steroid injection (you will first need an MRI to pin-point the injection region).
Other non-surgical treatment options which are commonly utilized to help alleviate the symptoms of sciatica, include, acupuncture, chiropractic care and physical therapy, and needless to say, time normally works wonders such as pain. Chiropractic care is the most commonly used alternative treatment option for the treatment of sciatica. Chiropractic care focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of a variety of injuries and/or conditions associated with the musculoskeletal and nervous system. Through spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, a doctor of chiropractic, or chiropractor, can help reduce unnecessary pressure in the structures surrounding the spine, improving strength, mobility and flexibility. Chiropractic care and physical therapy alike, can also help improve a patient’s overall health and wellness, aside from improving their sciatica, through physical activities and nutritional advice.
Is Surgery Ever Necessary to Treat Sciatica?
“It may certainly be so, however, the good thing is that the vast majority of people with sciatica don’t need surgery. And, your doctor may ask you to explore non-surgical treatment options, however, your tolerance for pain is the real predictor as to when you have to consider another option for treatment. Surgery may be necessary if symptoms worsen despite trying non-surgical alternatives, if you have weakness in your leg, or if you experience bladder and/or bowel changes,” explained Dr. Dwight Tyndall.
“The surgical procedure to treat sciatica is also called a lumbar microdiscectomy. It is a normal procedure with very positive individual outcomes when used accordingly. A lumbar microdiscectomy is similar to a traditional lumbar discectomy. Technological advances, like the advent of surgical microscopes, allow surgeons to create smaller incisions that are minimally traumatic to the body and result in a much quicker recovery for the patient”, added Dr. Tyndall.
Can Surgery be Performed in an Outpatient Setting?
“Yes, lumbar microdiscectomy can surely be carried out in an outpatient setting. Many patients like the cozy environment and are able to go home the exact same day of operation,” concluded�Dwight Tyndall, MD, FAAOS.
Is Sciatica Preventable?
As thoroughly explained by Dr. Dwight Tyndall, sciatica can be preventable if the individual doesn’t put significant and repeated stress in their back, which will reduce the chance of damaging or injuring a nerve. Nonetheless, in the present society, through our tasks and daily stresses of modern life, it’s difficult to accomplish that. Fortunately, with the abundance of treatment choices available, people can get relief from sciatic nerve pain with the appropriate healthcare professional’s help.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Many people will experience symptoms of low back pain at least once throughout their lifetime, however, only a few individuals will develop true sciatica symptoms. Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single condition, and it’s generally characterized by pain and discomfort, followed by tingling or burning sensations and numbness along the length of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the human body and it travels from the lower back down the buttocks and thighs into the legs and feet. Sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, has become a common health issue for many people, therefore, its important to be educated regarding this prevalent complaint in order to follow up with the most appropriate treatment.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
Active release therapy, more specifically referred to as the active release technique, is a patented system designed by Dr. P. Michael Leahy which focuses on the treatment of developed scar tissue in damaged muscles all across the human body. When Dr. Leahy first developed the technique about two decades ago, he realized that the damage in the complex soft tissues of the muscles might perhaps be able to be sensed as well as addressed directly through movement in the form of specialized techniques. With its proven ability to cure pain, its own acronym, ART, provides the active release therapy with some ironical link to being a true art form in chiropractic care.
When athletes overwork their muscles from playing sports or even through just everyday activities, many individuals don’t understand how scar tissue can develop on our muscles in the first place. The scar issue forms in order to help heal damaged muscles, however, it can ultimately create painful symptoms which may last long after these have healed. Scar tissue most commonly develops as a result of pulled muscles or muscle tears, or even from a lack of oxygen, called hypoxia.
As the scar tissue builds in the damaged or injured muscles, if the individual does not maintain a proper level of mobility in the affected area, it can progressively cause muscles to become stiff or tight and weak, eventually leading to health issues such as tendonitis or nerve problems. This explains why some people with pain or limited range of motion, often will need to visit a healthcare professional immediately. Fortunately, many doctors are certified to treat these type of problems using active release therapy.
Using the Active Release Technique to Relieve Pain
Together with providing tension to the targeted sore muscle and utilizing specific body motions, the painful symptoms associated with scar tissue improves through active release therapy. As of now, there are approximately 500 different active release techniques designed to alleviate the tightness or stiffness and weakness in all of the body’s soft tissues, from the muscles to the nerves. Many of these movements are particularly chosen for each individual based on the specific muscle issue and location.
Active release techniques can also be helpful for small traumatic injuries caused by accumulative trauma or repetitive strain. More specifically, ART functions to break up fibrous tissues called adhesions. These adhesions result from a tear onto a tendon, ligament or muscle. Adhesions commonly develop in different ways, including from trauma as a result of acute injury or from repetitive motion injury caused by overuse, most commonly from sports injuries. It may also be a result of poor posture which has been aggravated by continuous pressure in addition to tension produced in the soft tissues for extended amounts of time.
Such adhesions, when left untreated, can also limit blood flow as well as shorten muscles, causing the well-known symptoms. Worsened symptoms can also result in pain, discomfort or weakness and at times numbness, most notably when scar tissue applies pressure on the nerves. When adhesions occur, the patient will surely complain of distress much more due to the simple fact that they will not be able to engage in the physical activities they were used to performing in before.
The active release technique, or ART,� works by implementing a couple of movements and motions on the affected muscle, tendon or fascia. In comparison to other soft tissue therapies, it’s said to achieve better end results. Primarily, ART aims to help improve the symptoms of the damaged or injured area by applying pressure and force on it. From there, the individual will be tasked to perform a technique which will help release the tension from the treatment. This can essentially improve motion for the treated region.
The combination of this tension out of the active release technique and that of the movement of muscles and its soft tissues will loosen and break up the adhesions. Because of this, there’ll be lesser pain felt on the injured region. This technique works well with active strengthening in addition to biomechanics training. The combination of these therapies will make patients feel improved body awareness, strength, flexibility and mobility even after a few ART sessions.
How Different is ART from Traditional Soft Tissue Treatments?
When compared with traditional manners of soft tissue therapy, ART boasts of a very comprehensive strategy. The active release technique is performed by certified healthcare practitioners who’ve underwent a very rigorous training procedure. Healthcare professionals must participate in sit-in classes and they must also have hands-on testing. Their certificate doesn’t stop after they pass the 90 percent mark on the hands on test though. They’ll also have to maintain their ART certification by getting annual recertification. This may work by honing the healthcare professional’s abilities and at the exact time, this will boil to the benefit of patients undergoing the therapy.
How Successful is ART as a Treatment?
Current research has demonstrated how effective the procedure is when it comes to treating hamstring pain and dysfunction in addition to hip pain, turf toe and lymph nodes. While the efficacy of ART has been demonstrated along these areas, several studies are still being made to check into its potential for treating disorders for other body components.
Using the Active Release Technique for Sciatica
Sciatica is an issue which affects a large number of people. It is essentially a pain syndrome, characterized by a collection of common symptoms which are caused when the sciatic nerve, the largest and most important nerve supplying the lower spine and the lower extremities, is compressed by the small muscles in the pelvis. The piriformis muscle is the one most implicated in the compression of the sciatic nerve, particularly because it moves through this muscle when emerging from the pelvis and entering the lower limbs. The active release technique, or ART, may be used in the treatment of sciatica brought on by piriformis syndrome.
Pathophysiology of Sciatica
When sciatica is caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve by the piriformis muscle, the latter generally goes into a spasm for an extended period of time, leading to the compression of this fundamental nerve. The spasm may result in a compromise in the blood supply to the muscle itself as well as the nerve, which will further complicate the issue. Nerve communications are important in order for the human body to maintain its outmost efficiency. Sciatica often can also be caused by disc injuries and herniations, as generally is a differential diagnosis to piriformis syndrome. Specific orthopedic tests can help, doctors of chiropractic, or chiropractors, evaluate the source of the patient’s sciatica prior to commencing any type treatment.
Consequences of Sciatic Nerve Pain
There are a number of effects that could arise as a result of sciatica. Reduction in overall body ranges of movement can be anticipated, accompanied by searing or sharp pain that can be excruciating. This can make it very difficult for an individual’s quality of life, especially when carrying out daily tasks like going to school and work, might become impossible due to the seriousness of the health issue. When the issue isn’t treated on time, it might cause permanent damage to the sciatic nerve.
Conventional Treatments for Sciatic Nerve Pain
There are a range of conventional treatments that may be utilized based on the intensity of the sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica. One of these is an injection of a drug/medication that can relax the muscle so that it stops compressing the nerve. Additionally, it has been proven that drugs and/or medications, such as steroids, may also have an impact on reducing the pain and impairment related to the symptoms. When the pharmacological methods don’t result in any progress, surgical ones can be attempted. The most usual of these is a surgery to release the nerve from the muscle by cutting away a portion of it. Although these have been listed as conventional treatments which may be used to treat sciatica, alternative treatment options and secondary opinions should be considered before considering surgical interventions. Only when no other treatment has demonstrated any improvements, should surgery be considered by a patient.
The Role of Active Release Techniques for Sciatica
The active release technique, or ART, is a form of therapy that focuses on the manipulation of soft tissues, including nerves, fascia and muscles, so as to achieve relief of painful symptoms, in this case for sciatica. For sciatic nerve pain, ART is utilized to reduce spasm and remove adhesions of the muscle that may be entrapping the sciatic nerve. Since the adhesions are removed through specific manual methods, the nerve can slide under the soft tissues, and sciatica symptoms can solve relatively quickly. There are a range of things that a patient can do in order to increase the efficacy of the active release technique. Early start to treatment assists in long-term resolution of sciatica symptoms.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
The active release technique, also known as active release therapy or ART, is a soft tissue treatment based on a series of movement and motion techniques utilized to relieve pain and discomfort as well as promote the healing of muscles, joints and nerves, among other soft tissues. When performed by a certified healthcare professional, including a chiropractor, ART can help break down adhesions which may have developed following scar tissue formation after a damaged or injured muscle has healed. The active release technique has become one of the most common therapy for soft tissue treatment.
ART therapy is usually provided by skilled therapists like chiropractors, who have to keep their accreditation through continuing education on a yearly suface. This treatment is a specialized procedure that needs quite a bit of expertise and skill so as to work and supply rapid results. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
A healthcare professional may refer you to a physical therapist to help you relieve your sciatica. Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help unwind you and your body. These ultimately prepare your body for therapeutic exercises, which are the active treatments commonly utilized as a part of physical therapy.
Your physical therapist can give you passive treatments such as:
Deep tissue massage: This procedure targets chronic muscle stress which can be compressing or irritating your sciatic nerve and its associated nerve roots. The physical therapist uses direct friction and pressure to attempt to release the tension in your soft tissues, such as the tendons, ligaments and muscles.
Hot and cold therapies: By employing heat, the physical therapist seeks to get more blood to the target region because an increased blood circulation brings more oxygen and nutrients to the affected area. By way of instance, a heating pack placed on your piriformis muscle may help to reduce muscle spasms that could be causing your sciatica. Cold therapy, on the other hand, slows down blood flow, helping to decrease inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Your physical therapist will alternate between hot and cold therapies in order to achieve the desired results.
TENS (transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation): It may even be used at home, if your physical therapist thinks it is necessary. A machine stimulates your muscles through a variety of safe intensities of electric current. TENS helps decrease muscle spasms, and it might increase your body’s production of endorphins, the body’s natural painkillers. The TENS equipment your physical therapist utilizes is larger than the “at-home” usage system. Whether big or small, a TENS device may be an essential treatment for sciatica and its associated symptoms.
Ultrasound: Ultrasound sends sound waves deep in your muscle tissues and makes a gentle heat that enhances circulation and helps to speed up recovery. Greater circulation can help to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.
In the active part of physical therapy, your physical therapist will teach you various exercises to help treat your sciatica. Your physical therapy’s treatment program is individualized, taking into account your overall health and wellness as well as your medical history. It might consist of strengthening exercises, aerobic conditioning, and movements to increase endurance and range of movement.
Physical therapy might be part of a comprehensive sciatica treatment plan prescribed by your healthcare professional. Aside from receiving physical therapy for your sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, the following list includes other treatment options which are often considered when discussing the best treatment options for your source of sciatica symptoms. These treatments include:
Alternative treatments, such as acupuncture;
Chiropractic care;
Drugs and/or medications; and
Surgery
If necessary, your physical therapist may teach you how to fix your posture and integrate ergonomic principles into your everyday activities. This will be done in order to work on preventing future episodes of sciatica. Of the list of treatment options to help treat sciatica, chiropractic care and physical therapy are similar to each other and may involve common treatment modalities. However, a chiropractor uses spinal adjustments and manual manipulations to relieve symptoms of sciatica by carefully restoring the original alignment of the spine and reducing spinal stress and tension.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
As its previously been addressed, because sciatica can occur due to a variety of injuries and/or aggravated conditions, a proper diagnosis followed by the best treatment option for the patient’s source of their symptoms is key for overall improvement and prevention of further episodes of sciatic nerve pain. Among the various types of treatment, chiropractic care and physical therapy are popular alternative treatment approaches which help treat sciatica, without the need for drugs and/or medications or surgical interventions. Chiropractic care focuses on correcting the alignment of the spine through the use of spinal adjustments and manual manipulations in order to release tension on the spine and improve sciatic nerve pain.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Chiropractic care is a well-known alternative treatment option which is regularly used to treat sciatica. Proper diagnosis of sciatica Is essential before considering any of the above treatment modalities. Because there are lots of disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor’s first step towards treating sciatica would be to determine what’s causing the patient’s relapse. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient’s medical history as well as a physical and neurological evaluation.
Diagnostic testing includes x-rays, MRI, CT scans and/or electrodiagnostic tests (nerve conduction speed, electromyography). These examinations and evaluations help to detect potential contraindications to spinal adjustments and manual manipulations along with other chiropractic alternative treatment options. The aim of chiropractic care is to help the human body heal itself. Chiropractic care is noninvasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.
The type of chiropractic care provided depends on the reason for the individual’s sciatica. A sciatica treatment program might include several distinct therapies like ice/cold treatments, ultrasound, TENS, (similar to those used in physical therapy) and spinal adjustments and manual manipulations. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations differ from a swift high velocity push to those that combine minimal pressure and gentle force. Mastery of every method is an art which requires great precision and skill. Spinal adjustments and manual manipulations are the treatment modalities that differentiate chiropractic care from other medical disciplines.
However, sciatica can be brought on by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic care. If the chiropractor determines that the patient’s source of their symptoms requires treatment from a different type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another healthcare professional. In some instances, the chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and also co-manage the patient’s care with another healthcare professional.
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
If you have lower back or buttocks pain which runs into your thigh or past the knee to one leg and foot, a healthcare professional may diagnose your symptoms as sciatica. Sciatica is a medical term used to describe painful sensations caused by the compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve. This compression is normally caused by a disc herniation or a bone spur pressing on one of the nerves in the lower back.
Sensations, or unusual feelings, could include numbness, tingling, pins and needles, and sometimes pain referred to as electric-shock-like. Determined by the individual nerve that is affected, pain may radiate only into the buttocks or all the way down to the foot.
Sciatica pain generally radiates along the length of the sciatic nerve, the longest and largest nerve in the human body, usually from the lower back, down the buttocks, and into the thigh and leg as well as the foot. One hallmark of classic sciatica is when the painful symptoms are felt beneath the knee and sometimes down into the foot and great toe. Usually, sciatica only affects one side of the body, however, it may occasionally affect both sides of the body.
Radicular Pain or Radiculopathy
Radicular pain, or radiculopathy, are different terms used to describe similar symptoms. Your healthcare professional may commonly utilize these terms interchangeably while discussing your sciatica. Radiculopathy is pain and/or an adverse sensation that travels past the affected site, along the length of a nerve. When a spinal nerve root is compressed, pinched or injured, it may become inflamed. Common conditions which could cause this kind of problem are spinal stenosis, foraminal stenosis or herniated discs.
What to Expect from a Sciatica Diagnosis
In order to determine the proper diagnosis of your sciatica symptoms, a healthcare professional may ask a series of questions, for instance:
When did the pain begin?
Where do you feel the pain?
What activities worsen or reduce pain and symptoms?
Does the pain go all the way down your leg or does it stop at the knee?
Is there weakness or tingling in your thighs or feet?
How severe is your pain, on a scale of 1 to 10? (10 being the worse pain possible)
The healthcare professional may conduct a straight-leg test to find out whether you’ve got irritation or inflammation on a nerve. In order to perform this evaluations, you lie on your back while the doctor lifts each leg. When lifting a leg causes, or generates sciatic-like pain and sensations, you might have a bulging or ruptured disc, best known as a disc herniation.
Furthermore, the healthcare professional may ask you to walk as you normally do, then on your heels and next on your toes. This enables the physician to confirm your balance and aspects of lower-body strength. Compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve may cause muscle fatigue in the foot that will be revealed by these tests and evaluations. During your examination, your healthcare professional will:
Look at your position and range of movement
Note any movement that causes pain
Examine the curvature and alignment of your spine
Feel for muscle strain
Assess your sensation
Test your reflexes and muscle strength
Your doctor may order a plain x-ray, CT scan or MRI to help see the source of your sciatica more clearly. The CT scan or MRI provides the doctor with several snapshots of your spine, and will help confirm a suspected diagnosis. The findings of an imaging test are compared to the information that the doctor gathers during the taking of your medical history, and physical and neurological examination outcomes. An accurate identification is one of the very first steps in determining the best treatment options.
If it’s not Sciatica, What Else Could it Be?
Only a healthcare professional can tell for sure if your symptoms are sciatica or not. There are many complex structures in the spine which can result in similar kinds of pain. For instance, the joint between the pelvic and sacrum, or the sacroiliac joint, or SI joint, which is the smallest portion of the spine, may lead to pain from the buttock in the case of injury or due to an aggravated condition. You may also feel sciatica-like pain and discomfort if you sprain a very low back facet joint, which are the connecting joints at the back region of the spine. A tear in a disk can lead to pain down to the leg. The hip joint can occasionally trigger pain at the thigh as well. It’s essential to seek proper medical attention to assess the source of your symptoms.
Sciatica Treatment
Treatments for sciatica pain are diverse and there are lots of options to choose from. While sciatic nerve pain and radicular pain symptoms may resolve with the use of many traditional and alternative treatment options, severe cases may require surgery. Normally, some middle ground of these two extremes is the answer for curing sciatica.
Sciatica usually may be treated nonsurgically with short (24 to 48 hours) bed rest and pain relievers like aspirin or acetaminophen. In some cases, the physician may prescribe drugs and/or medications that relieves nerve pain, such as gabapentin. Oral steroids are another commonly used treatment to calm pain down. Typically, patients with sciatica feel better over time, generally in a few weeks. If pain persists, however, injections might be discussed. Muscle cramps, which might accompany sciatica symptoms, might be treated with heat or cold. Your physician will tell you to take brief walks, and might prescribe physical therapy. Once you recover, your doctor may also give you exercises to strengthen your back.
Can Chiropractic Care Treat Sciatica?
Chiropractic care is one of the top treatment options used for sciatica pain. Utilizing a variety of methods and techniques, chiropractic care doesn’t simply reduce the symptoms, it can ultimately fix the health issues associated with sciatica and prevent further circumstances of the collection of symptoms.
A good chiropractic care regimen might include spinal adjustments and manual manipulations, passive therapies, spinal decompression, massage therapy, and physical therapy to help reduce pain and correct the underlying problem causing it. A great chiropractic solution is going to be a plan which entails many or all of the above mentioned remedies as determined by your personal needs and recovery timeline. Furthermore, a chiropractor may recommend a series of appropriate stretches and exercises to help speed up the recovery process and promote a long-lasting recovery so you can live a pain-free life.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s Insight
Sciatica is a medical term used to describe a collection of symptoms, including, pain, numbness or tingling sensations, caused by the compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve in the lower back. Although symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, are commonly concentrated in the lower back, radiating pain or radiculopathy may sometimes occur along the length of the sciatic nerve. A bulging or herniated disc is one of the most prevalent health issues which lead to sciatica. It’s essential to receive a proper diagnosis of any painful symptoms in order to follow-up with the best treatment options. Chiropractic care can help treat sciatica through the use of spinal adjustment and manual manipulations, among other treatment modalities, by carefully restoring the original alignment of the spine and reducing nerve compression and irritation associated with sciatic nerve pain.
If you believe that you are suffering from sciatic nerve pain, then consider the chiropractic care alternative solution. Many chiropractors can help by building a customized restoration plan around your requirements and goals. With years of experience, friendly employees, and innovative equipment, the proper chiropractor will get you back to normal the natural way. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic as well as to spinal injuries and conditions. To discuss the subject matter, please feel free to ask Dr. Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .
Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez
Additional Topics: Sciatica
Sciatica is medically referred to as a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury and/or condition. Symptoms of sciatic nerve pain, or sciatica, can vary in frequency and intensity, however, it is most commonly described as a sudden, sharp (knife-like) or electrical pain that radiates from the low back down the buttocks, hips, thighs and legs into the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include, tingling or burning sensations, numbness and weakness along the length of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica most frequently affects individuals between the ages of 30 and 50 years. It may often develop as a result of the degeneration of the spine due to age, however, the compression and irritation of the sciatic nerve caused by a bulging or herniated disc, among other spinal health issues, may also cause sciatic nerve pain.
IFM's Find A Practitioner tool is the largest referral network in Functional Medicine, created to help patients locate Functional Medicine practitioners anywhere in the world. IFM Certified Practitioners are listed first in the search results, given their extensive education in Functional Medicine
