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.
For individuals living with chronic pain and various diseases like Parkinson’s, arthritis, and diabetes, can water aerobics be beneficial?
Water Aerobics
Water aerobics are low-impact exercises performed commonly in swimming pools. It is a great way to exercise for a full-body, low-impact workout without overworking the body’s joints and muscles. Other names used include:
Aquafitness
Aqua aerobics
Aquarobics
Many types can be tailored to individual needs, injuries, and/or conditions. The exercises have various health benefits, especially for those who cannot perform higher-impact movements.
Individuals participating in water aerobics will need a bathing suit, towel, goggles, and a swim cap to protect their eyes or hair from chlorinated water. Individuals do not need other special equipment while exercising as the water acts as extra resistance. Foam dumbbells or paddles can be used to increase resistance. Other optional equipment includes: (Plunge San Diego, 2024) (Harvard Health Publishing Harvard Medical School, 2023)
Kickboards
Wrist and ankle weights
Water-jogging belts
Swim bar
Pool Exercises
There are many types of pool exercises to help reach health and fitness goals. They include:
Water Walking
The basic act of walking in water is a great way to get a full-body workout.
Start by standing in waist-deep water with the feet planted on the bottom of the pool.
Lengthen the spine by bringing the shoulders up and back and aligning the shoulders with the hips and knees.
Once in a good starting position, walk through the water, putting pressure on the heel first and then the toes, just like walking out of the water, while swinging the arms back and forth through the water.
This exercise can be done for five to 10 minutes.
The muscles that will get the most attention are the arms, core, and the lower body.
Arm Lifts
Stand up to the shoulders in water.
With the palms facing up, draw the elbows into the torso while lifting the forearms in front of the body up to the water’s surface.
Once at the surface, rotate the palms to face down and slowly move the forearms back down to the sides.
For more resistance, this exercise can also be done using foam dumbbells.
Repeat the action 10–15 times for one to three sets.
The muscles targeted are the core and the arm muscles.
Jumping Jacks
Water resistance makes jumping jacks in the water much more difficult than on land.
To perform, start by standing in chest-level water with your feet together and your arms straight down the sides.
Once in position, begin by simultaneously swinging the legs out to the side and arms over the head before returning to the starting position.
Muscles targeted include the entire body and cardiovascular system.
Add wrist or ankle weights for more resistance and to make the exercise more challenging.
High-Knee-Lift Extensions
High-knee-lift extensions are performed while standing in water that is waist deep.
To do the exercise, engage the core and lift one leg in a bent position until it is level with the water’s surface.
Hold the position for a few seconds, then extend the leg out in front and hold again.
After the hold period, move the leg back down through the water to the starting position while keeping it straight and flexing the foot.
Repeat on both legs for two to three sets of 15 reps per leg.
Use weights on the ankles to increase resistance.
The muscles targeted include the core, glutes, and lower body.
Risks
While exercising in water, individuals may not notice how much they sweat. This can make it seem like the workout is not as hard and can lead to dehydration. Individuals should always hydrate before and after a pool workout. Individuals who cannot swim well should avoid exercises that do not require a flotation device. Sometimes pools are heated, so choosing one 90 degrees F or below is recommended so the body doesn’t get overheated while exercising.
Stop Pool Exercises Immediately
Performing pool exercises can often seem easier than they are, leading to overworking. Stop exercising immediately if you feel:
Pain in any area of the body
Shortness of breath
Nauseated
Faint
Dizzy
Pressure in the upper body or chest
Other Health Conditions That Benefit
Water aerobics is recommended for most individuals, completely healthy or with a chronic disease. Those with chronic disease have been shown to benefit from the low-impact exercise. (Faíl, L. B. et al., 2022) One study looked at individuals with various health conditions, with the results showing that the following conditions saw improvements after 12 weeks of regular water exercise (Faíl, L. B. et al., 2022)
Diabetes
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Bone diseases
High blood pressure
Coronary artery disease
Stroke
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Parkinson’s disease
While the benefits of water aerobics have been studied and proven effective, individuals should be cleared by a medical professional before starting any new exercise regimen. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic works with primary healthcare providers and specialists to develop an optimal health and wellness solution through an integrated approach to treating injuries and chronic pain syndromes, improving flexibility, mobility, and agility programs to relieve pain and help individuals return to normal. Our providers create personalized care plans for each patient. If other treatments are needed, Dr. Jimenez has teamed up with top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, and rehabilitation providers to provide the most effective treatments.
Pereira Neiva, H., Brandão Faíl, L., Izquierdo, M., Marques, M. C., & Marinho, D. A. (2018). The effect of 12 weeks of water-aerobics on health status and physical fitness: An ecological approach. PloS one, 13(5), e0198319. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198319
Faíl, L. B., Marinho, D. A., Marques, E. A., Costa, M. J., Santos, C. C., Marques, M. C., Izquierdo, M., & Neiva, H. P. (2022). Benefits of aquatic exercise in adults with and without chronic disease-A systematic review with meta-analysis. Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports, 32(3), 465–486. doi.org/10.1111/sms.14112
For individuals dealing with sciatica, can non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care and acupuncture reduce pain and restore function?
Introduction
The human body is a complex machine that allows the host to be mobile and stable when resting. With various muscle groups in the upper and lower body portions, the surrounding muscles, tendons, nerves, and ligaments serve a purpose for the body as they all have specific jobs in keeping the host functional. However, many individuals have developed various habits that cause strenuous activities that cause repetitive motions to their muscles and nerves and affect their musculoskeletal system. One of the nerves that many individuals have been dealing with pain is the sciatic nerve, which causes many issues in the lower body extremities and, when not treated right away, leads to pain and disability. Luckily, many individuals have sought non-surgical treatments to reduce sciatica and restore body function to the individual. Today’s article focuses on understanding sciatica and how non-surgical therapies like chiropractic care and acupuncture can help reduce the sciatic pain-like effects that are causing overlapping risk profiles in the lower body extremities. We discuss with certified medical providers who consolidate with our patients’ information to assess how sciatica is often correlated with environmental factors that cause dysfunction in the body. We also inform and guide patients on how various non-surgical treatments can help reduce sciatica and its correlating symptoms. We also encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers many intricate and important questions about incorporating various non-surgical therapies as part of their daily routine to reduce the chances and effects of sciatica from returning. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Understanding Sciatica
Do you often feel radiating pain that travels down one or both legs when sitting down for a long period? How often have you experienced tingling sensations that cause you to shake your leg to reduce the effect? Or have you noticed that stretching your legs causes temporary relief? While these overlapping pain symptoms can affect the lower extremities, many individuals may think it is low back pain, but in actuality, it is sciatica. Sciatica is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects many people worldwide by causing pain to the sciatic nerve and radiating down to the legs. The sciatic nerve is pivotal in providing direct and indirect motor function to the leg muscles. (Davis et al., 2024) When the sciatic nerve is compressed, many people state that the pain can vary in intensity, accompanied by symptoms like tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness that can affect a person’s ability to walk and function.
However, some of the root causes that lead to the development of sciatica can play into the factor that causes the pain in the lower extremities. Several inherent and environmental factors are often associated with sciatica, causing lumbar nerve root compression on the sciatic nerve. Factors like poor health status, physical stress, and occupational work are correlated with the development of sciatica and can impact a person’s routine. (Gimenez-Campos et al., 2022) Additionally, some of the root causes of sciatica can include musculoskeletal conditions like herniated discs, bone spurs, or spinal stenosis, which can correlate with these inherent and environmental factors that can reduce many individuals’ motility and life quality. (Zhou et al., 2021) This causes many individuals to seek out treatments to relieve sciatica pain and its correlating symptoms. While the pain caused by sciatica can vary, many individuals often seek non-surgical treatments to alleviate their discomfort and pain from sciatica. This allows them to incorporate effective solutions to managing sciatica.
Beyond Adjustments: Chiropractic & Integrative Healthcare- Video
Chiropractic Care For Sciatica
When it comes to seeking non-surgical treatments to reduce sciatica, non-surgical treatments can reduce the pain-like effects while helping restore body function and mobility. At the same time, non-surgical treatments are customized to the individual’s pain and can be incorporated into a person’s routine. Some non-surgical treatments like chiropractic care are excellent in reducing sciatica and its associated pain symptoms. Chiropractic care is a form of non-surgical therapy that focuses on restoring the body’s spinal movement while improving body function. Chiropractic care utilizes mechanical and manual techniques for sciatica to realign the spine and help the body heal naturally without surgery or medication. Chiropractic care can help decrease intradiscal pressure, increase intervertebral disc space height, and improve the range of motion in the lower extremities. (Gudavalli et al., 2016) When dealing with sciatica, chiropractic care can alleviate the unnecessary pressure on the sciatic nerve and help reduce the risk of reoccurrence through consecutive treatments.
The Effects of Chiropractic Care For Sciatica
Some of the effects of chiropractic care for reducing sciatica can provide insight to the person as chiropractors work with associated medical providers to devise a personalized plan to relieve the pain-like symptoms. Many people who utilize chiropractic care to reduce the effects of sciatica can incorporate physical therapy to strengthen the weak muscles that surround the lower back, stretch to improve flexibility and be more mindful of what factors are causing sciatic pain in their lower extremities. Chiropractic care may guide many people on proper poster ergonomics, and various exercises to reduce the chances of sciatica returning while offering positive effects to the lower body.
Acupuncture For Sciatica
Another form of non-surgical treatment that can help reduce the pain-like effects of sciatica is acupuncture. As a key component in traditional Chinese medicine, acupuncture therapy involves professionals placing thin, solid needles at specific points on the body. When it comes to reducing sciatica, acupuncture therapy can exert analgesic effects on the body’s acupoints, regulate the microglia, and modulate certain receptors along the pain pathway to the nervous system. (Zhang et al., 2023) Acupuncture therapy focuses on restoring the body’s natural energy flow or Qi to promote healing.
The Effects of Acupuncture For Sciatica
Regarding the effects of acupuncture therapy on reducing sciatica, acupuncture therapy can help reduce the pain signals that sciatica produces by changing the brain signal and rerouting the corresponding motor or sensory disturbance of the affected area. (Yu et al., 2022) Additionally, acupuncture therapy can help provide pain relief by releasing endorphins, the body’s natural pain reliever, to the specific acupoint that correlates with the sciatic nerve, reducing inflammation around the sciatic nerve, thus alleviating pressure and pain and helping improve nerve function. Both chiropractic care and acupuncture offer valuable non-surgical treatment options that can provide aid in the healing process and reduce pain caused by sciatica. When many people are dealing with sciatica and looking for numerous solutions to reduce the pain-like effects, these two non-surgical treatments can help many people address the underlying causes of sciatica, enhance the body’s natural healing process, and help provide significant relief from the pain.
Gimenez-Campos, M. S., Pimenta-Fermisson-Ramos, P., Diaz-Cambronero, J. I., Carbonell-Sanchis, R., Lopez-Briz, E., & Ruiz-Garcia, V. (2022). A systematic review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness and adverse events of gabapentin and pregabalin for sciatica pain. Aten Primaria, 54(1), 102144. doi.org/10.1016/j.aprim.2021.102144
Gudavalli, M. R., Olding, K., Joachim, G., & Cox, J. M. (2016). Chiropractic Distraction Spinal Manipulation on Postsurgical Continued Low Back and Radicular Pain Patients: A Retrospective Case Series. J Chiropr Med, 15(2), 121-128. doi.org/10.1016/j.jcm.2016.04.004
Yu, F. T., Liu, C. Z., Ni, G. X., Cai, G. W., Liu, Z. S., Zhou, X. Q., Ma, C. Y., Meng, X. L., Tu, J. F., Li, H. W., Yang, J. W., Yan, S. Y., Fu, H. Y., Xu, W. T., Li, J., Xiang, H. C., Sun, T. H., Zhang, B., Li, M. H., . . . Wang, L. Q. (2022). Acupuncture for chronic sciatica: protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12(5), e054566. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054566
Zhang, Z., Hu, T., Huang, P., Yang, M., Huang, Z., Xia, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., & Ni, G. (2023). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails. Front Neurosci, 17, 1097830. doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1097830
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
When sciatica or other radiating nerve pain presents, can learning to distinguish between nerve pain and different types of pain help individuals recognize when spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed or more serious problems that require medical attention?
Spinal Nerve Roots and Dermatomes
Spinal conditions such as herniated discs and stenosis can lead to radiating pain that travels down one arm or leg. Other symptoms include weakness, numbness, and/or shooting or burning electrical sensations. The medical term for pinched nerve symptoms is radiculopathy (National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2020). Dermatomes could contribute to irritation in the spinal cord, where the nerve roots cause symptoms in the back and limbs.
Anatomy
The spinal cord has 31 segments.
Each segment has nerve roots on the right and left that supply motor and sensory functions to the limbs.
The anterior and posterior communicating branches combine to form the spinal nerves that exit the vertebral canal.
The 31 spine segments result in 31 spinal nerves.
Each one transmits sensory nerve input from a specific skin region on that side and area of the body.
These regions are called dermatomes.
Except for the first cervical spinal nerve, dermatomes exist for each spinal nerve.
The spinal nerves and their associated dermatomes form a network all over the body.
Dermatomes Purpose
Dermatomes are the body/skin areas with sensory input assigned to individual spinal nerves. Each nerve root has an associated dermatome, and various branches supply each dermatome off that single nerve root. Dermatomes are pathways through which sensational information in the skin transmits signals to and from the central nervous system. Sensations that are physically felt, like pressure and temperature, get transmitted to the central nervous system. When a spinal nerve root becomes compressed or irritated, usually because it comes into contact with another structure, it results in radiculopathy. (National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2020).
Radiculopathy
Radiculopathy describes symptoms caused by a pinched nerve along the spine. Symptoms and sensations depend on where the nerve is pinched and the extent of the compression.
Cervical
This is a syndrome of pain and/or sensorimotor deficiencies when nerve roots in the neck are compressed.
It often presents with pain that goes down one arm.
Individuals may also experience electrical sensations like pins and needles, shocks, and burning sensations, as well as motor symptoms like weakness and numbness.
Lumbar
This radiculopathy results from compression, inflammation, or injury to a spinal nerve in the lower back.
Sensations of pain, numbness, tingling, electrical or burning sensations, and motor symptoms like weakness traveling down one leg are common.
Diagnosis
Part of a radiculopathy physical examination is testing the dermatomes for sensation. The practitioner will use specific manual tests to determine the spinal level from which the symptoms originate. Manual exams are often accompanied by diagnostic imaging tests like MRI, which can show abnormalities in the spinal nerve root. A complete physical examination will determine if the spinal nerve root is the source of the symptoms.
Treating Underlying Causes
Many back disorders can be treated with conservative therapies to provide effective pain relief. For a herniated disk, for example, individuals may be recommended to rest and take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. Acupuncture, physical therapy, chiropractic, non-surgical traction, or decompression therapies may also be prescribed. For severe pain, individuals may be offered an epidural steroid injection that can provide pain relief by reducing inflammation. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: OrthoInfo. 2022) For spinal stenosis, a provider may first focus on physical therapy to improve overall fitness, strengthen the abdominals and back muscles, and preserve motion in the spine. Pain-relieving medications, including NSAIDs and corticosteroid injections, can reduce inflammation and relieve pain. (American College of Rheumatology. 2023) Physical therapists provide various therapies to decrease symptoms, including manual and mechanical decompression and traction. Surgery may be recommended for cases of radiculopathy that don’t respond to conservative treatments.
Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic care plans and clinical services are specialized and focused on injuries and the complete recovery process. Our areas of practice include Wellness & Nutrition, Chronic Pain, Personal Injury, Auto Accident Care, Work Injuries, Back Injury, Low Back Pain, Neck Pain, Migraine Headaches, Sports Injuries, Severe Sciatica, Scoliosis, Complex Herniated Discs, Fibromyalgia, Chronic Pain, Complex Injuries, Stress Management, Functional Medicine Treatments, and in-scope care protocols. We focus on restoring normal body functions after trauma and soft tissue injuries using Specialized Chiropractic Protocols, Wellness Programs, Functional and integrative Nutrition, Agility, and mobility Fitness Training, and Rehabilitation Systems for all ages. If the individual requires other treatment, they will be referred to a clinic or physician best suited for their condition. Dr. Jimenez has teamed with the top surgeons, clinical specialists, medical researchers, therapists, trainers, and premiere rehabilitation providers to bring El Paso, the top clinical treatments, to our community.
Reclaim Your Mobility: Chiropractic Care For Sciatica Recovery
For individuals experiencing or managing low back pain and/or sciatica, can lumbar traction therapy help provide consistent relief?
Lumbar Traction
Lumbar traction therapy for lower back pain and sciatica could be a treatment option to help restore mobility and flexibility and safely support an individual’s return to an optimal level of activity. It is often combined with targeted therapeutic exercise. (Yu-Hsuan Cheng, et al., 2020) The technique stretches the space between the vertebrae in the lower spine, relieving lower back pain.
Lumbar or low back traction helps to separate the spaces between the vertebrae.
Separating the bones restores circulation and helps relieve the pressure on pinched nerves like the sciatic nerve, decreasing pain and improving mobility.
Research
Researchers say lumbar traction with exercise did not improve individual outcomes compared to physical therapy exercises on their own (Anne Thackeray et al., 2016). The study examined 120 participants with back pain and nerve root impingement who were randomly selected to undergo lumbar traction with exercises or simple exercises for pain. Extension-based exercises focused on bending the spine backward. This movement is considered effective for individuals with back pain and pinched nerves. The results indicated that adding lumbar traction to physical therapy exercises did not offer significant benefits over extension-based exercise alone for back pain. (Anne Thackeray et al., 2016)
A 2022 study found that lumbar traction is helpful for individuals with lower back pain. The study investigated two different lumbar traction techniques and found that variable-force lumbar traction and high-force lumbar traction helped to relieve lower back pain. High-force lumbar traction was also found to reduce functional disability. (Zahra Masood et al., 2022) Another study found lumbar traction improves the range of motion in the straight leg raise test. The study examined different forces of traction on herniated discs. All the levels improved the individuals’ range of motion, but the one-half body-weight traction setting was associated with the most significant pain relief. (Anita Kumari et al., 2021)
Treatment
For individuals with only low back pain, exercise, and postural correction may be all that is needed to provide relief. Research confirms physical therapy exercises can help decrease pain and improve mobility (Anita Slomski 2020). Another study revealed the importance of centralizing sciatic symptoms during repetitive movements. Centralization is moving the pain back to the spine, which is a positive sign that the nerves and discs are healing and occurs during therapeutic exercise. (Hanne B. Albert et al., 2012) A chiropractor and physical therapy team can educate patients on preventing back pain episodes. Chiropractors and physical therapists are body movement experts who can show which exercises are best for your condition. Starting an exercise program that centralizes symptoms can help individuals return to their normal lifestyle quickly and safely. Consult a healthcare provider before starting any exercise program for back pain.
Movement Medicine: Chiropractic
References
Cheng, Y. H., Hsu, C. Y., & Lin, Y. N. (2020). The effect of mechanical traction on low back pain in patients with herniated intervertebral disks: a systemic review and meta-analysis. Clinical rehabilitation, 34(1), 13–22. doi.org/10.1177/0269215519872528
Thackeray, A., Fritz, J. M., Childs, J. D., & Brennan, G. P. (2016). The Effectiveness of Mechanical Traction Among Subgroups of Patients With Low Back Pain and Leg Pain: A Randomized Trial. The Journal of orthopaedic and sports physical therapy, 46(3), 144–154. doi.org/10.2519/jospt.2016.6238
Masood, Z., Khan, A. A., Ayyub, A., & Shakeel, R. (2022). Effect of lumbar traction on discogenic low back pain using variable forces. JPMA. The Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association, 72(3), 483–486. doi.org/10.47391/JPMA.453
Kumari, A., Quddus, N., Meena, P. R., Alghadir, A. H., & Khan, M. (2021). Effects of One-Fifth, One-Third, and One-Half of the Bodyweight Lumbar Traction on the Straight Leg Raise Test and Pain in Prolapsed Intervertebral Disc Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial. BioMed research international, 2021, 2561502. doi.org/10.1155/2021/2561502
Slomski A. (2020). Early Physical Therapy Relieves Sciatica Disability and Pain. JAMA, 324(24), 2476. doi.org/10.1001/jama.2020.24673
Albert, H. B., Hauge, E., & Manniche, C. (2012). Centralization in patients with sciatica: are pain responses to repeated movement and positioning associated with outcome or types of disc lesions?. European spine journal : official publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society, 21(4), 630–636. doi.org/10.1007/s00586-011-2018-9
Can non-surgical treatments like acupuncture and spinal decompression provide relief to individuals dealing with sciatica?
Introduction
When many individuals start to feel pain running down their legs after a long day of activities, it causes them to have limited mobility and difficulty finding a place to rest. Many people think that they are just dealing with leg pain, but it can be more of an issue as they realize that it’s not just the leg pain they are experiencing but it is sciatica. While this long nerve comes from the lower back and travels down to the legs, it can succumb to pain and discomfort when herniated discs or muscles compress and aggravate the nerve. When this happens, it can impact a person’s mobility and quality of life, thus causing them to seek out treatment to reduce the pain from sciatica. Fortunately, alternative therapies like acupuncture and spinal decompression have been utilized to not only minimize sciatic pain but also provide positive, beneficial results. Today’s article looks at sciatica, how spinal decompression and acupuncture can relieve sciatica, and how integrating these two non-surgical treatments can lead to beneficial results. We talk with certified medical providers who consolidate our patients’ information to assess how sciatica can significantly impact a person’s well-being and quality of life. We also inform and guide patients on how integrating acupuncture therapy and spinal decompression can positively reduce sciatica. We encourage our patients to ask their associated medical providers intricate and important questions about incorporating non-surgical treatments into a wellness routine to relieve sciatica and its referred symptoms. Dr. Jimenez, D.C., includes this information as an academic service. Disclaimer.
Understanding Sciatica
Do you often experience numbness or tingling sensations from your lower back to your legs? Do you feel like your gait is feeling off balance? Or have you stretched your legs after being seated for a while, which provides temporary relief? While the sciatic nerve plays a pivotal role in motor function in the legs, when various factors, such as herniated discs and even pregnancy, start to aggravate the nerve, it can cause pain. Sciatica is a deliberating pain condition often mislabeled as low back pain or radicular leg pain due to these two musculoskeletal conditions. These are comorbidities and can be exacerbated by simple twists and turns. (Davis et al., 2024)
Additionally, when many individuals are doing repetitive motions or dealing with degenerative changes in the spine, the spinal discs are more prone to herniation. They may press on the spinal nerves, causing the neuron signals to invoke pain and discomfort in the lower extremities. (Zhou et al., 2021) At the same time, sciatica can be both spinal and extra-spinal sources in the lumbar spinal region, which causes many individuals to be in constant pain and looking for relief. (Siddiq et al., 2020) When sciatica pain starts to affect a person’s lower extremities, causing mobility issues, many people seek treatments to reduce the pain-like effects of sciatica.
The Science of Motion-Video
Acupuncture For Reducing Sciatica Pain
When it comes to treating sciatica, many people can look into non-surgical treatments due to its affordability and effectiveness in reducing sciatica and its associated pain-like symptoms. Non-surgical treatments can be customized to the individual’s pain and be combined to restore a person’s quality of life. Two non-surgical treatments that can help reduce sciatica are acupuncture and spinal decompression. Acupuncture has a long history of providing significant positive effects on lowering sciatic pain and improving a person’s quality of life. (Yuan et al., 2020) Highly trained professionals from China use acupuncture and incorporate small solid needles to provide instant relief from sciatica’s associated symptoms. This is because acupuncture exerts analgesic effects by regulating microglia activation, inhibiting the body’s natural inflammatory response, and modulating receptors along the pain pathway in the nervous system. (Zhang et al., 2023) To this point, acupuncture can stimulate the body’s acupoints to restore balance.
The Effects Of Acupuncture
One of the effects of acupuncture for relieving sciatica is that it can reduce pain intensity by changing the brain’s activity patterns when the pain receptors are disrupted. (Yu et al., 2022) Additionally, when acupuncturists start to stimulate the nerves in the muscles and tissues, they release endorphins and other neurohumoral factors that help change the pain process in the nervous system. Acupuncture helps reduce inflammation while improving muscle stiffness and joint mobility through increasing microcirculation to reduce swelling while blocking sciatica pain from affecting the lower extremities.
Spinal Decompression For Relieving Sciatica Pain
Another form of non-surgical treatment is spinal decompression, and it can help reduce the effects of sciatica and its associated pain symptoms. Spinal decompression utilizes a traction table to gently stretch the spine to create a negative pressure within the spinal disc and free up the affected nerves. For sciatica individuals, this non-surgical treatment relieves the sciatic nerve as spinal decompression helps reduce the pain intensity and improve mobility function in the lower extremities. (Choi et al., 2022) The main objective of spinal decompression is to create space within the spinal canal and neural structures to release the aggravated sciatic nerve from causing more pain. (Burkhard et al., 2022)
The Effects Of Spinal Decompression
Many individuals can begin to feel relief from incorporating spinal decompression in their wellness treatment. This non-surgical treatment promotes fluids and nutrients to the spinal disc to kick-start the body’s natural healing process. When the spine is being gently stretched, there is less pressure on the sciatic nerves, which can alleviate the pain and improve mobility. Additionally, many individuals will feel their flexibility and mobility back in their lumbar region.
Integrating Acupuncture and Spinal Decompression For Relief
So, when many people start to integrate spinal decompression and acupuncture as a holistic and non-surgical approach for relieving sciatica, the results and benefits are positive. While spinal decompression targets the mechanical healing of the spinal disc and reducing nerve pressure, acupuncture focuses on relieving the pain and reducing inflammation at a systemic level. This enhances the body’s natural healing process and offers a synergistic effect to improve treatment outcomes. Non-surgical treatments like acupuncture and spinal decompression can provide a hopeful outcome for many individuals seeking relief from their sciatic pain without resorting to surgical procedures. These treatments allow the individual to regain their mobility in their lower extremities, reduce pain, and improve their quality of life by making people more mindful of their bodies and reducing the chances of sciatica from returning. By doing so, many individuals can live a healthier and pain-free lifestyle.
References
Burkhard, M. D., Farshad, M., Suter, D., Cornaz, F., Leoty, L., Furnstahl, P., & Spirig, J. M. (2022). Spinal decompression with patient-specific guides. Spine J, 22(7), 1160-1168. doi.org/10.1016/j.spinee.2022.01.002
Choi, E., Gil, H. Y., Ju, J., Han, W. K., Nahm, F. S., & Lee, P. B. (2022). Effect of Nonsurgical Spinal Decompression on Intensity of Pain and Herniated Disc Volume in Subacute Lumbar Herniated Disc. International Journal of Clinical Practice, 2022, 6343837. doi.org/10.1155/2022/6343837
Siddiq, M. A. B., Clegg, D., Hasan, S. A., & Rasker, J. J. (2020). Extra-spinal sciatica and sciatica mimics: a scoping review. Korean J Pain, 33(4), 305-317. doi.org/10.3344/kjp.2020.33.4.305
Yu, F. T., Liu, C. Z., Ni, G. X., Cai, G. W., Liu, Z. S., Zhou, X. Q., Ma, C. Y., Meng, X. L., Tu, J. F., Li, H. W., Yang, J. W., Yan, S. Y., Fu, H. Y., Xu, W. T., Li, J., Xiang, H. C., Sun, T. H., Zhang, B., Li, M. H., . . . Wang, L. Q. (2022). Acupuncture for chronic sciatica: protocol for a multicenter randomised controlled trial. BMJ Open, 12(5), e054566. doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2021-054566
Yuan, S., Huang, C., Xu, Y., Chen, D., & Chen, L. (2020). Acupuncture for lumbar disc herniation: Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine (Baltimore), 99(9), e19117. doi.org/10.1097/MD.0000000000019117
Zhang, Z., Hu, T., Huang, P., Yang, M., Huang, Z., Xia, Y., Zhang, X., Zhang, X., & Ni, G. (2023). The efficacy and safety of acupuncture therapy for sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trails. Front Neurosci, 17, 1097830. doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2023.1097830
Zhou, J., Mi, J., Peng, Y., Han, H., & Liu, Z. (2021). Causal Associations of Obesity With the Intervertebral Degeneration, Low Back Pain, and Sciatica: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne), 12, 740200. doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2021.740200
Individuals experiencing shooting, aching pain in the lower extremities, and intermittent leg pain could be suffering from neurogenic claudication. Can knowing the symptoms help healthcare providers develop an effective treatment plan?
Neurogenic Claudication
Neurogenic claudication occurs when spinal nerves become compressed in the lumbar or lower spine, causing intermittent leg pain. Compressed nerves in the lumbar spine can cause leg pain and cramps. The pain usually worsens with specific movements or activities like sitting, standing, or bending backward. It is also known as pseudo-claudication when the space within the lumbar spine narrows. A condition known as lumbar spinal stenosis. However, neurogenic claudication is a syndrome or group of symptoms caused by a pinched spinal nerve, while spinal stenosis describes the narrowing of the spinal passages.
Symptoms
Neurogenic claudication symptoms can include:
Leg cramping.
Numbness, tingling, or burning sensations.
Leg fatigue and weakness.
A sensation of heaviness in the leg/s.
Sharp, shooting, or aching pain extending into the lower extremities, often in both legs.
There may also be pain in the lower back or buttocks.
Neurogenic claudication is different from other types of leg pain, as the pain alternates – ceasing and beginning randomly and worsens with specific movements or activities. Standing, walking, descending stairs, or flexing backward can trigger pain, while sitting, climbing stairs, or leaning forward tends to relieve pain. However, every case is different. Over time, neurogenic claudication can affect mobility as individuals try to avoid activities that cause pain, including exercise, lifting objects, and prolonged walking. In severe cases, neurogenic claudication can make sleeping difficult.
Neurogenic claudication and sciatica are not the same. Neurogenic claudication involves nerve compression in the central canal of the lumbar spine, causing pain in both legs. Sciatica involves compression of nerve roots exiting from the sides of the lumbar spine, causing pain in one leg. (Carlo Ammendolia, 2014)
Causes
With neurogenic claudication, compressed spinal nerves are the underlying cause of the leg pain. In many cases, lumber spinal stenosis – LSS is the cause of pinched nerve. There are two types of lumbar spinal stenosis.
Central stenosis is the main cause of neurogenic claudication. With this type, the central canal of the lumbar spine, which houses the spinal cord, narrows, causing pain in both legs.
Lumbar spinal stenosis can be acquired and develop later in life due to spine deterioration.
Congenital means the individual is born with the condition.
Both can lead to neurogenic claudication in different ways.
Foramen stenosis is another type of lumbar spinal stenosis that causes the narrowing of spaces on either side of the lumbar spine where nerve roots branch off the spinal cord. The associated pain is different in that it is either in the right or left leg.
The pain corresponds to the side of the spinal cord where the nerves are being pinched.
Acquired Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis is usually acquired due to the degeneration of the lumbar spine and tends to affect older adults. The causes of the narrowing can include:
Spinal trauma, such as from a vehicle collision, work, or sports injury.
Disc herniation.
Spinal osteoporosis – wear-and-tear arthritis.
Ankylosing spondylitis – a type of inflammatory arthritis that affects the spine.
Osteophytes – bone spurs.
Spinal tumors – non-cancerous and cancerous tumors.
Congenital Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Congenital lumbar spinal stenosis means an individual is born with abnormalities of the spine that may not be apparent at birth. Because the space within the spinal canal is already narrow, the spinal cord is vulnerable to any changes as the individual ages. Even individuals with mild arthritis can experience symptoms of neurogenic claudication early on and develop symptoms in their 30s and 40s instead of their 60s and 70s.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of neurogenic claudication is largely based on the individual’s medical history, physical examination, and imaging. The physical examination and review identify where the pain is presenting and when. The healthcare provider may ask:
Is there a history of lower back pain?
Is the pain in one leg or both?
Is the pain constant?
Does the pain come and go?
Does the pain get better or worse when standing or sitting?
Do movements or activities cause pain symptoms and sensations?
Are there any usual sensations while walking?
Treatment
Treatments can consist of physical therapy, spinal steroid injections, and pain meds. Surgery is a last resort when all other therapies are unable to provide effective relief.
Physical Therapy
A treatment plan will involve physical therapy that includes:
Daily stretching
Strengthening
Aerobic exercises
This will help improve and stabilize the lower back muscles and correct posture problems.
Occupational therapy will recommend activity modifications that cause pain symptoms.
This includes proper body mechanics, energy conservation, and recognizing pain signals.
Back braces or belts may also be recommended.
Spinal Steroid Injections
Healthcare providers may recommend epidural steroid injections.
This delivers a cortisone steroid to the outermost section of the spinal column or the epidural space.
Pain medications are used to treat intermittent neurogenic claudication. These include:
Over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen.
Prescription NSAIDs may be prescribed if needed.
NSAIDs are used with chronic neurogenic pain and should only be used when required.
The long-term use of NSAIDs can increase the risk of stomach ulcers, and the overuse of acetaminophen can lead to liver toxicity and liver failure.
Surgery
If conservative treatments are unable to provide effective relief and mobility and/or quality of life are affected, surgery known as a laminectomy may be recommended to decompress the lumbar spine. The procedure may be performed:
Laparoscopically – with small incisions, scopes, and surgical instrumentation.
Open surgery – with a scalpel and sutures.
During the procedure, facets of the vertebra are partially or completely removed.
To provide stability, the bones are sometimes fused with screws, plates, or rods.
Success rates for both are more or less the same.
Between 85% and 90% of individuals undergoing the surgery achieve long-lasting and/or permanent pain relief. (Xin-Long Ma et al., 2017)
Movement Medicine: Chiropractic Care
References
Ammendolia C. (2014). Degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis and its imposters: three case studies. The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association, 58(3), 312–319.
Munakomi S, Foris LA, Varacallo M. (2024). Spinal Stenosis and Neurogenic Claudication. [Updated 2023 Aug 13]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK430872/
Ma, X. L., Zhao, X. W., Ma, J. X., Li, F., Wang, Y., & Lu, B. (2017). Effectiveness of surgery versus conservative treatment for lumbar spinal stenosis: A system review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. International journal of surgery (London, England), 44, 329–338. doi.org/10.1016/j.ijsu.2017.07.032
Can physical therapy treatment protocols aimed at improving range of motion and flexibility around the hip and relieving inflammation around the sciatic nerve help individuals experiencing deep buttock pain or piriformis syndrome?
Deep Buttock Pain
Piriformis syndrome, a.k .a. deep buttock pain, is described as sciatic nerve irritation from the piriformis muscle.
The piriformis is a small muscle behind the hip joint in the buttocks.
It is about one centimeter in diameter and functions in the hip joint’s external rotation or turning outward.
The piriformis muscle and tendon are close to the sciatic nerve, which supplies the lower extremities with motor and sensory functions.
Depending on an individual’s anatomic variation of the muscle and tendon:
The two cross over, under, or through each other behind the hip joint in the deep buttock.
This relationship is thought to irritate the nerve, leading to sciatica symptoms.
Piriformis Syndrome
When diagnosed with piriformis syndrome, it is thought that the muscle and tendon bind to and/or spasm around the nerve, causing irritation and pain symptoms.
The theory supported is that when the piriformis muscle and its tendon tighten, the sciatic nerve becomes compressed or pinched. This decreases blood circulation and irritates the nerve from the pressure. (Shane P. Cass 2015)
Tenderness with pressure on the piriformis muscle.
Discomfort in the back of the thigh.
Deep buttock pain behind the hip.
Electric sensations, shocks, and pains travel down the back of the lower extremity.
Numbness in the lower extremity.
Some individuals develop symptoms abruptly, while others go through a gradual increase.
Diagnosis
Doctors will order X-rays, MRIs, and nerve conduction studies, which is normal.
Because piriformis syndrome can be challenging to diagnose, some individuals with minor hip pain may receive a piriformis syndrome diagnosis even if they don’t have the condition. (Shane P. Cass 2015)
It is sometimes referred to as deep buttock pain. Other causes of this type of pain include back and spinal problems like:
Herniated discs
Spinal stenosis
Radiculopathy – sciatica
Hip bursitis
A piriformis syndrome diagnosis is usually given when these other causes are eliminated.
When the diagnosis is uncertain, an injection is administered in the area of the piriformis muscle. (Danilo Jankovic et al., 2013)
Different medications can be used, but the injection itself is used to help determine the specific location of the discomfort.
When an injection is given into the piriformis muscle or tendon, it is often administered by ultrasound guidance to ensure the needle delivers the medication to the correct location. (Elizabeth A. Bardowski, J. W. Thomas Byrd 2019)
Avoiding activities that cause symptoms for at least a few weeks.
Physical Therapy
Emphasize stretching and strengthening the hip rotator muscles.
Non-Surgical Decompression
Gently pulls the spine to release any compression, allowing optimal rehydration and circulation and taking the pressure off the sciatic nerve.
Therapeutic Massage Techniques
To relax and release muscle tension and increase circulation.
Acupuncture
To help relax the piriformis muscle, sciatic nerve, and surrounding area.
Relieve pain.
Chiropractic Adjustments
Realignment rebalances the spine and musculoskeletal system to alleviate pain.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
To decrease inflammation around the tendon.
Cortisone Injections
Injections are used to decrease inflammation and swelling.
Botulinum Toxin Injection
Injections of botulinum toxin paralyze the muscle to relieve pain.
Surgery
Surgery can be performed in rare cases to loosen the piriformis tendon, known as a piriformis release. (Shane P. Cass 2015)
Surgery is a last resort when conservative treatments have been tried for at least 6 months with little to no relief.
Recovery can take several months.
Sciatica Causes and Treatment
References
Cass S. P. (2015). Piriformis syndrome: a cause of nondiscogenic sciatica. Current sports medicine reports, 14(1), 41–44. doi.org/10.1249/JSR.0000000000000110
Jankovic, D., Peng, P., & van Zundert, A. (2013). Brief review: piriformis syndrome: etiology, diagnosis, and management. Canadian journal of anaesthesia = Journal canadien d’anesthesie, 60(10), 1003–1012. doi.org/10.1007/s12630-013-0009-5
Bardowski, E. A., & Byrd, J. W. T. (2019). Piriformis Injection: An Ultrasound-Guided Technique. Arthroscopy techniques, 8(12), e1457–e1461. doi.org/10.1016/j.eats.2019.07.033
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