Because sciatica is an inflammatory condition, with the sciatic nerve specifically being the target, sciatica fitness and exercise is one of the first recommendations from chiropractors. Sciatica is a series of symptoms from a variety of underlying medical causes and condition/s. This could be:
Too much sitting, which most of us are doing these days
Work injuries
Automobile accident injuries
Sports injuries
Awkward movements/motions that pulled the sciatic nerve in the wrong direction
A correct diagnosis of the cause is essential to help the chiropractor formulate a customized optimal treatment plan. Individuals can experience the same symptoms across the board, however, despite the similarities, sciatica requires a careful, customized precision approach to treatment. An ideal treatment plan often requires a very specific exercise regimen and chiropractic adjustment schedule. Therefore, there is no one-size-fits-all solution.
Sciatica can be treated effectively with the right chiropractic approach with a high success rate for alleviated symptoms. Effectively treating sciatica requires direct treatment to the specific cause, rather than using techniques that only mask the pain. Example: If a herniated disc is the root cause, sciatica can be relieved by reducing the bulge of the disc, thus bringing down the irritation/inflammation and compression of the sciatic nerve.
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Sciatica treatment/s depends on the cause
A stretching regimen for sciatica caused by a low back herniated disc will be different than stretches for treating low back spinal stenosis. Understanding how sciatica is the key to unlocking a treatment plan that will work to minimize pain and inflammation.
Exercise Can Help
Exercising and sciatica fitness will help relieve sciatic pain in various ways. These include:
Improves the range of motion, which reduces stress on the spine
Higher activity levels generate adrenaline and endorphins, to help combat the pain
Specific exercises/stretches need to be done that target the sciatic nerve and the root cause. Working with a chiropractor will bring an understanding of specifically how the body should be worked out, the intensity of the workout, and where on the body the focus should be.
For example, if the nerve is irritated from a pelvic tilt and low back compression, a chiropractor could recommend a minimal cardio workout with combined strength exercises for the hamstrings, glutes, and lower body. A strength and conditioning regimen will increase stability in the lower body, prevent pelvic tilt, and reinforce the chiropractic adjustments/alignment.
Chiropractic Benefits
However, sciatica fitness and exercise on its own is not the complete solution for dealing with chronic sciatic pain. Chiropractic adjustments along with chiropractic prevention are necessary to restore the stability and integrity of the spine. When used in combination with exercise, the re-alignment and corrections can take effect sooner and maintain optimal spinal health. When individuals condition and strengthen their body, The musculature that supports the spine gets massive reinforcement. This minimizes the chances of a reoccurring pelvic tilt from weakened core muscles. The long-term effects of sciatica fitness/exercise and chiropractic spinal/hip manipulation work together to form a perfect combination.
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Sciatica Fitness
For truly long-term effects of pain relief and a better quality of life, a chiropractic treatment plan is highly recommended. Specific targeted adjustments and re-alignment with a sciatica fitness program will promote optimal health and wellness.
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Whole Body Wellness Foot Orthotics
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Beavers, Kristen M et al. �Effect of exercise training on chronic inflammation.��Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry�vol. 411,11-12 (2010): 785-93. doi:10.1016/j.cca.2010.02.069
Coulombe, Brian J et al. �Core Stability Exercise Versus General Exercise for Chronic Low Back Pain.��Journal of athletic training�vol. 52,1 (2017): 71-72. doi:10.4085/1062-6050-51.11.16
Seasonal Affective Disorder is a form of depression that has to do with the changing of the seasons, specifically when fall begins. It affects around 10 million Americans during the fall and winter seasons. Back pain can be a symptom of the disorder. For most individuals, the condition follows a pattern:
These are typical symptoms for many dealing with the condition. The individual can experience aches and pains throughout the body, but especially the back. Recent studies have shown how various forms of depression, like Seasonal Affective Disorder, can present with pain, specifically back/spinal pain. Many individuals play it off as the blues, but research has found, depression can have a much more significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. The exact cause is still unknown. But research is finding a connection related to the level of sunlight an individual receives throughout the day.
Research has shown there could be a biochemical imbalance in the brain when there is less daylight during fall and winter. As the seasons change from summer to fall individuals can experience a shift in circadian rhythms that can cause them to disrupt their regular daily routine. However, Seasonal Affective Disorder is more common for individuals living where the daylight lessens and has been shown to affect women more than men and young adults.
Depression and Back Pain Connection
Depression can present with pain symptoms and the pain can enhance the depression. Headaches, Body aches, and especially backaches are common symptoms of depression. Research has shown that individuals with severe depression can actually feel a more intense level of pain.
Physical symptomslike back pain or headaches can be the only or the beginning symptom/s of seasonal affective depression. As research continues to grow as to how the nervous system interacts with the body, pain symptoms have been found to be connected to biological mechanisms connected with stress, anxiety, and depression.
Living a sedentary lifestyle, with little or no physical activity and regular exercise can be another cause for Seasonal Affective Disorder. Depression itself can cause fatigue that restrains individuals from exercising and working the core muscles for optimal spinal strength and health.
This added stress on the spine’s discs, joints, and ligaments, makes the body more susceptible to low back pain, muscle strains, illness, and injuries. Pain can wear an individual down impacting mood and overall health.
Symptoms
The difference between Seasonal Affective Disorder and chronic depression is that Seasonal Affective Disorder is limited to the same time of the year during the time of less light, and winter months. Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder can be the same as those associated with depression. They are:
Feeling Low/Depressed
Weight gain
Increased appetite
Craving sugar and carbohydrates
Sleeping all-day
Consistent drowsiness
Hopelessness
Loss of interest in enjoyed activities
Symptoms can also be related to low levels of Vitamin D, which is associated with anxiety and depression for individuals with fibromyalgia. Seasonal Affective Disorder can be related to chronic pain conditions the way depression can. Some individuals with chronic fatigue syndrome can also present with symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Treatment
Diagnosis for Seasonal Affective Disorder requires an individual to experience at least two years of symptoms that become worse at a specific time of the year. And the depressive episodes have to significantly be worse than the non-seasonal episodes of depression. There are four types of treatments, that can be used individually or in combination. They are:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy/CBT is a form of psychotherapy that is effective for the disorder, as well as other conditions. It relies on techniques that identify negative thoughts and work on ways to not dwell on the negative and focus more on positive things and thoughts.
Lightbox Therapy
Diminished sunlight when fall and winter arrive can be replaced with regular exposure to a bright, artificial lightbox. Individuals sit or stand in front of the lightbox when they get up on a daily basis. This is done when fall begins and goes on until spring. The lightbox filters out ultraviolet rays and requires around 20 to 60 minutes of exposure to 10,000 lux of cool-white fluorescent light.
Vitamin D
Low levels of vitamin D were found in individuals with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Talk to a doctor about the proper level of vitamin D that should be taken through supplements.
The Pain and Backaches
Understanding how pain and depression are interconnected treating both conditions as part of an integrative treatment plan can include:
A light aerobic exercise program that stimulates serotonin levels and releases endorphins to relieve depression and pain.
Low-dose antidepressants can reduce depression symptoms and back pain. They work to inhibit the reuptake of neurotransmitters like serotonin and norepinephrine that is associated with a person�s mood and the way they perceive pain.
What Works
Everyone is unique, which means that different treatment plans and combinations of treatment plans may have to be tried out before finding the optimal one. A significant factor is not settling with the pain and just accepting it. Healing can be a unique and complex experience. The objective is for the individual and doctor to work collaboratively.
Depression and Chronic Pain
Dr. Alex Jimenez�s Blog Post Disclaimer
The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, and sensitive health issues and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate and support directly or indirectly our clinical scope of practice.*
Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We also make copies of supporting research studies available to the board and or the public upon request. We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation as to how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900. The provider(s) Licensed in Texas& New Mexico*
References
Robertson, David et al. �Associations between low back pain and depression and somatization in a Canadian emerging adult population.��The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association�vol. 61,2 (2017): 96-105.
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