Constipation is a leading cause of low back pain in America and can cause a chain reaction in the rest of the body. When the digestional tract swells, it generates added stress on the back and surrounding nerves. Prolonged constipation and pressure can cause sciatica symptoms. Constipation sciatica can be relieved through chiropractic treatment, therapeutic massage, non-surgical spinal decompression, and functional medicine to alleviate symptoms and restore optimal body function.
Constipation Sciatica
Sciatica is irritation, compression, and inflammation of the sciatic nerve, which supplies the thighs, lower legs, and feet. It is usually caused by a pinched/compressed of one or more spinal nerve roots between the vertebrae of the lower back. The buildup of stool in the intestines can cause a dull aching sensation in the low back that can radiate to surrounding areas. Common causes of constipation include:
Bowel movements vary for everyone, and not having a movement daily does not mean constipation is occurring. Some individuals have only three movements a week, while others have multiple movements daily. A recommended indicator of constipation is if there has been a sudden decrease in typical bowel movements. The digestive tract occupies a significant region of the lower torso. Back pain symptoms can present after the rectum becomes obstructed or stools have solidified in the colon. Once constipation has developed, the blockage presses against the nerves and muscles of the back. This causes a range of discomfort signaling by the brain, which worsens as the backup grows. Symptoms of general constipation include:
Feeling full despite not eating anything.
Bloating.
Swelling.
Abdominal cramping.
Infrequent bowel movements.
Discomfort or aching when trying to pass a stool.
Hard and/or lumpy stool.
Constipation is considered chronic when two or more of the following symptoms occur for at least three months:
Further decreased bowel movements.
Straining to defecate.
Stools do not loosen without the use of laxatives.
Passage of hard pebble/pellet stools.
Consistent abdominal pain that is relieved by even slight movement.
Feeling as if the bowels are not fully emptied or a blockage in the rectum.
Feeling the need to assist the release by pressing on the abdomen.
Chiropractic Treatment
Chiropractic treatment can realign the spine, release compressed nerves, increase the frequency of bowel movements, and through the massage and relaxation of the muscles, help to soften stools. Intestinal muscles push the stool to the anus, where it leaves/evacuates the body. Special nerve cells in the intestine, known as ganglion cells,innervate the muscles to push. These nerves connect to the celiac ganglion, which connects to the spinal cord through nerve roots that exit the spine in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar region. The celiac ganglion innervates the liver, stomach, gallbladder, spleen, kidneys, small intestine, and the ascending and transverse colon. Treatment for constipation and back pain depends on the cause of the symptoms. For example, if the constipation is caused by dehydration, a chiropractor will instruct the patient on water intake as part of the personalized treatment plan.
Diagnosis to Recovery
References
Fernandes, Walkyria Vilas Boas, et al. “The effect of a six-week osteopathic visceral manipulation in patients with non-specific chronic low back pain and functional constipation: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.” Trials vol. 19,1 151. 2 Mar. 2018, doi:10.1186/s13063-018-2532-8
Panarese, Alba, et al. “Chronic functional constipation is strongly linked to vitamin D deficiency.” World journal of gastroenterology vol. 25,14 (2019): 1729-1740. doi:10.3748/wjg.v25.i14.1729
Rédly, Monika. “The effects of chiropractic care on a patient with chronic constipation.” The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association vol. 45,3 (2001): 185–191.
Trager, Robert James, et al. “Association between radicular low back pain and constipation: a retrospective cohort study using a real-world national database.” Pain reports vol. 6,3 e954. 26 Aug. 2021, doi:10.1097/PR9.0000000000000954
Prolonged standing can cause the pelvis to push backward, increasing the curve of the lower back/lumbar region. This increased pressure on the soft tissues surrounding the spine causes the lower back muscles to tighten and/or spasm, resulting in discomfort in the joints and nerves. Weakened core muscles and unhealthy posture/postural syndrome are the most common causes, but injury, aging, congenital malformations, or a disease/condition can also contribute to the symptoms. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic has a top team of professional therapists to evaluate the problem, diagnose the cause/s accurately, and develop a customized treatment and rehabilitation plan.
Prolonged Standing Back Discomfort
Back Structure
The lower back is one of the most used areas of the spine, moving around and bending during a normal day. When the body stands, the spine naturally curves both in and outwards.
The inward curve, called lordosis, curves towards the front of the body at the lower back and neck regions.
The outward curve, called kyphosis, curves towards the back of the body at the chest.
When bending over while standing, the five lumbar vertebrae of the lower back change position and shift from lordosis to kyphosis when bent completely.
When standing up from bending, the lumbar vertebrae change position again and return to the lordosis position.
Causes
The facet joints allow movement between each spine level. The standing spinal curvature can increase contact between the facet joints. As the body ages, the facet joints and discs begin to wear out, which can cause the discs and facet joints to become inflamed. Prolonged standing during normal daily activity combined with inflammation in these joints can aggravate the inflammation and cause symptoms. Regular routines and habits may contribute to low back discomfort during prolonged standing. These include:
Sleeping on a sinking or unsupportive mattress.
Practicing unhealthy postures that cause imbalances with proper weight distribution.
Not wearing proper footwear and/or supportive orthotics forces the lower spine into increased curvature and can compress the facet joints.
Not getting enough physical activity that strengthens the core.
Chiropractors are experts on the musculoskeletal system. They will:
Listen to the patient about symptoms, medical history, and occupation.
A physical examination of muscle tone, strength, and range of motion.
Therapeutic massage, electric muscle stimulation, and ultrasound therapy can help reduce muscle inflammation and increase circulation to injured soft tissues.
Chiropractic adjustments will reset joints, removing pressure from the surrounding muscles and nerves.
Targeted therapeutic strength training is recommended for core and leg muscles to improve hip flexibility.
Non-surgical decompression or traction, either with a machine or suspension, can reverse the pressure in spinal discs.
Standing Lower Back Relief Exercises
References
Hasegawa, Tetsuya, et al. “Association of low back load with low back pain during static standing.” PloS one vol. 13,12 e0208877. 18 Dec. 2018, doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0208877
Jo, Hoon, et al. “Negative Impacts of Prolonged Standing at Work on Musculoskeletal Symptoms and Physical Fatigue: The Fifth Korean Working Conditions Survey.” Yonsei medical journal vol. 62,6 (2021): 510-519. doi:10.3349/ymj.2021.62.6.510
Ognibene GT, Torres W, von Eyben R, Horst KC. Impact of a sit-stand workstation on chronic low back pain: randomized trial results. J Occup Environ Med. 2016;58(3):287-293. Abstract. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26735316. Accessed March 2, 2017.
Parry, Sharon P et al. “Workplace interventions for increasing standing or walking for decreasing musculoskeletal symptoms in sedentary workers.” The Cochrane database of systematic reviews vol. 2019,11 CD012487. November 17, 2019, doi:10.1002/14651858.CD012487.pub2
Rodríguez-Romero, Beatriz, et al. “Thirty Minutes Identified as the Threshold for Development of Pain in Low Back and Feet Regions, and Predictors of Pain Intensity During 1-h Laboratory-Based Standing in Office Workers.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 19,4 2221. February 16, 2022, doi:10.3390/ijerph19042221
Smith, Michelle D et al. “The Influence of Using a Footstool during a Prolonged Standing Task on Low Back Pain in Office Workers.” International journal of environmental research and public health vol. 16,8 1405. April 18. 2019, doi:10.3390/ijerph16081405
High Blood Pressure and Physical Activity: Blood pressure flows throughout the body to meet metabolic demands. During periods of physiological stress like physical activity, exercise, or feeling overwhelmed, blood pressure can increase for a short period but is not considered dangerous or unhealthy. However, when an individual’s baseline resting blood pressure readings stay high, the risk of developing serious health conditions increases. High blood pressure is reversible with lifestyle adjustments and physical activity for a more healthy and sustainable level.
High Blood Pressure and Physical Activity
Everything individuals need to know and understand about high blood pressure includes:
Common causes
Healthy readings
Monitoring pressure
Beneficial activities to lower blood pressure and improve health.
Blood pressure measures the force exerted on the circulatory system. Blood pressure changes throughout the day, depending on the following:
Nutrition
Activity levels
Stress levels
Medical comorbidities
Unlike heart rate or temperature, blood pressure is two separate measurements. Typically seen as a fraction, for example – 120/80 mmHg, each number gives the medical provider information about the function and health of the vascular system:
Systolic
Written as the top number of the measurement, systolic blood pressure refers to the force exerted against the blood vessels during a heartbeat.
This value represents the highest pressure on the arteries, veins, and capillaries.
Diastolic
The bottom number/measurement, the diastolic reading, represents the pressure the vascular system is subjected to between heartbeats.
In most cases, elevated diastolic blood pressure values are seen in individuals with high systolic blood pressure.
Readings
According to the CDC, a healthy blood pressure reading is 120/80 mmHg. As blood pressure changes throughout the day, it is recommended to have a baseline level/when at rest to remain as close as possible to these values. When baseline levels remain high, the risk of developing serious medical complications increases. Criteria for different stages of diagnosis include:
Elevated blood pressure – 120-129 mmHg / 80 or less mmHg.
Stage 1 hypertension – 130-139 mmHg / 80-89 mmHg.
Stage 2 hypertension – 140 or higher mmHg / 90 or higher mmHg.
Prolonged exposure to high pressure damages the vessels and heart.
Measurements
The first step to assessing baseline blood pressure is taking regular and accurate readings. An automatic blood pressure cuff and monitor at home can record readings to determine baseline values. Various factors can contribute to inaccurate readings. Here are a few tips for avoiding inaccuracy:
Keep the arm being measured at the height of the heart.
Avoid taking blood pressure after exercise or stress.
Double-check readings on the opposite arm when possible.
Try to take readings at a similar time during a rest period.
After each reading, record values in a journal for the primary care provider.
Performing daily blood pressure readings for a few weeks can be beneficial to determine baseline levels.
Physical Activity
Aerobic activities increase the body’s need for oxygen. Getting the muscles active and moving during physical activity increases the demand for oxygen, which is why breathing and heart rate increase. The cardiovascular system includes the heart, arteries, and veins. Additional stress is added when the system goes through aerobic activity to maintain metabolic levels, improving strength and endurance. Regular aerobic exercise can decrease high baseline pressure because a stronger heart and vascular system do not need to exert as much energy to maintain cell function. Aerobic activities include:
Brisk Walking
A low-impact aerobic exercise, brisk walking, has been shown to reduce baseline systolic blood pressure in individuals who participated in supervised walking sessions over six months.
Gardening
Gardening activities like digging and lifting are considered moderate-intensity exercises. It is a recommended low-impact option for individuals of all ages.
Bicycle Riding
Cycling has been shown to offer short and long-term benefits for managing blood pressure.
It is common for pressure to increase while biking; studies have shown that regular cycling can reduce baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressure over six months.
It is recommended to start slow. As confidence builds and cardiovascular endurance increases, longer and more regular bike rides become easier to integrate into a routine.
Dancing
All forms of dancing can help to improve cardio endurance and strength, which has been shown to reduce systolic and diastolic blood pressure readings.
Whether line dancing, partner dancing, or dancing alone, dancing regularly can help reduce stress and blood pressure levels.
Hypertension Nutrition
References
Cardoso, Crivaldo Gomes Jr, et al. “Acute and chronic effects of aerobic and resistance exercise on ambulatory blood pressure.” Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) vol. 65,3 (2010): 317-25. doi:10.1590/S1807-59322010000300013
Conceição, Lino Sergio Rocha, et al. “Effect of dance therapy on blood pressure and exercise capacity of individuals with hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis.” International journal of cardiology vol. 220 (2016): 553-7. doi:10.1016/j.ijcard.2016.06.182
Hollingworth, M et al. “Dose-response associations between cycling activity and risk of hypertension in regular cyclists: The UK Cycling for Health Study.” Journal of human hypertension vol. 29,4 (2015): 219-23. doi:10.1038/jhh.2014.89
Mandini, Simona, et al. “Walking and hypertension: greater reductions in subjects with higher baseline systolic blood pressure following six months of guided walking.” PeerJ vol. 6 e5471. 30 Aug. 2018, doi:10.7717/peerj.5471
Sapra A, Malik A, Bhandari P. Vital Sign Assessment. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK553213/
The body experiences physical changes during pregnancy. As the baby grows, the body has to adjust, which can cause unfamiliar aches and pains. A common issue for pregnant women is sciatica symptoms or lumbar radiculopathy, which radiates discomfort sensations that travel down the lower spine, down the back of the thigh, and into the foot. Chiropractic care and massage therapy can realign the spine and hips, therapeutically massage circulation through the body, relieve symptoms, and restore function.
Pregnancy Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the largest in the body and the main nerve in the legs. In most cases, sciatica happens when this nerve gets compressed by bulging, slipped, or ruptured spinal discs, arthritis, or spinal stenosis.
Symptoms
Aches and pains that result from sciatica range from mild to severe sensations. Symptoms include:
Pain that travels from the pelvis down the back of the leg.
A burning sensation in the low back and buttocks.
Jolting pain that feels like an electric shock.
Numbness, muscle weakness, or tingling in one leg or foot.
Tingling sensation in one part of the body and pain in another.
Pain that worsens when coughing, sneezing or sitting for long periods.
Causes
Sciatica during pregnancy can be caused by:
Weight gain is going to pull the spine and muscles down.
Increased fluid retention can place added pressure on the nerve as it passes through the pelvis.
The expanding uterus can press down on the nerve in the lower part of the spine.
The growing belly and breasts shift the center of gravity forward and stretch the lordotic curve causing the muscles in the:
Buttocks and pelvis to tighten up and compress the sciatic nerve.
The baby’s head can rest directly on the nerve when settling into the proper birth position in the third trimester.
A herniated or slipped disc caused by the extra pressure of the growing uterus can be the cause, although this is less common.
Pregnancy also causes the body to release a hormone called relaxin, designed to relax the ligaments and prepare the pelvis for childbirth.
Loose ligaments can cause spinal compression and affect the sciatic nerve.
Sciatica will most likely occur during the third trimester when mother and baby are bulking up, but it can develop earlier, although this is less common. Most women experience symptoms on one side, though it can affect both legs. The condition can be constant or intermittent, depending on the amount of pressure placed on the nerve, and can remain for a few months after giving birth when the excess weight and fluid are gone.
Treatment Techniques
Simple home remedies and treatment to help ease the symptoms. These include:
Sleep on Your Side
Rest on the side of the body that does not present symptoms when lying down.
Prenatal massage can reduce stress, improve blood circulation, and regulate hormones.
Chiropractic and Physical Therapy
Chiropractic is non-invasive and drug-free, making it a safe and gentle option for mom and baby.
A professional chiropractor can evaluate the condition.
Identify and remove interferences in the nervous system from the source.
Realign the bones.
Provide a personalized treatment plan to alleviate symptoms and stretches and strength-building exercises.
Sciatica In Pregnancy
References
American Pregnancy Association: “Prenatal Massage Therapy.
American Pregnancy Association: “Sciatic Nerve Pain During Pregnancy: Causes and Treatment.”
FRIEDMANN, E. “Narrowing of the spinal canal due to thickened lamina a cause of low-back pain and sciatica.” Clinical orthopedics vol. 21 (1961): 190-7.
Goldsmith, Laura T, and Gerson Weiss. “Relaxin in human pregnancy.” Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences vol. 1160 (2009): 130-5. doi:10.1111/j.1749-6632.2008.03800.x
KULOWSKI, J. “Unusual causes of low back pain and sciatica during pregnancy.” American journal of obstetrics and gynecology vol. 84 (1962): 627-30. doi:10.1016/0002-9378(62)90156-4
Trager, Robert J et al. “Ischial osteochondroma as an unusual source of pregnancy-related sciatic pain: a case report.” Chiropractic & manual therapies vol. 30,1 45. 17 Oct. 2022, doi:10.1186/s12998-022-00451-3
The body’s nerves are the communication system that carries messages between the brain and the rest of the body. Some nerves transmit messages from the brain to muscles to make the body move, while others relay pain, pressure, or temperature signals. Tiny fibers bundled inside each nerve carry the messages with an outer layer/sheathing that insulates and protects the nerves. The brachial plexus is a network of nerves that send signals from the spinal cord to the shoulders, arms, and hands. A brachial plexus nerve injury occurs when the nerves are over-stretched, compressed, torn, cut, or ripped from the spinal cord.
Brachial Plexus Nerve Injury
The injury involves the head or neck hitting or getting hit and shifting to one side while the shoulder is stretched/pulled in the opposite direction.
Minor brachial plexus injuries are commonly known as stingers or burners and are common in sports like football, wrestling, hockey, soccer, and basketball.
Severe brachial plexus injuries can cause arm paralysis and usually result from vehicle or motorcycle accidents.
Other conditions like inflammation or tumors can affect the brachial plexus.
Sometimes babies can sustain brachial plexus injuries during birth.
Pressure and stretching injuries do not physically sever the nerve but can disrupt communication.
Cutting injuries vary depending on the severity of the cut and because the nerves are in a protective canal that can also be fractured or broken. If the canal remains intact, the nerve fibers could grow back with time.
However, surgery is necessary to repair the damage if the canal is broken.
Signs and symptoms of a brachial plexus nerve injury can vary, depending on the severity and location of the injury. Usually, only one arm is affected.
Minor Injuries
Minor damage comes from over-stretching or mild compression.
An electric or burning sensation shoots down the arm.
Numbness and weakness in the arm.
Neck pain.
These symptoms usually last for a few seconds or minutes but can linger for days or longer.
Severe Injuries
More-severe symptoms result from injuries that impact, tear, or rupture the nerves.
The most severe injury occurs when the nerve root is torn from the spinal cord.
Symptoms include:
Intense pain.
Writhing neck pain.
Weakness or inability to use specific shoulder, arm, and/or hand muscles.
Complete lack of movement and feeling in the shoulder, arm, and/or hand.
Symptoms in both arms.
Complications
With time, most brachial plexus injuries in children and adults heal with minimal long-term damage. But some injuries can cause long-lasting problems that include:
Joint Stiffness
The joints can stiffen, making movement difficult.
Healthcare providers often recommend ongoing chiropractic and physical rehabilitation during recovery.
Atrophy
Nerves regrow slowly and can take some time to completely heal after the injury.
During that time, lack of use can cause the muscles to break down.
Chronic Pain
Nerve damage can cause pain signals to be constantly firing.
Numbness
It can occur in the arm or hand, increasing the risk of worsening the injury or causing new injuries.
Disability
Recovery from a severe brachial plexus injury depends on age, damage, location, and severity.
Even with surgery, individuals can experience long-term muscle weakness or paralysis.
Chiropractic Treatment and Rehabilitation
Treatment depends on the severity of the damage. Chiropractic can help realign, rehabilitate, stretch, and strengthen the muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, and ligaments to expedite recovery. For less severe injuries:
Muscle strengthening and posture exercises help maintain motion.
Therapeutic massage will stimulate circulation and keep the muscles loose.
For severe injuries:
Surgery
Continued chiropractic and physical rehabilitation to maintain thorough circulation, range of motion, and relaxed muscles.
The Brachial Plexus
References
Brucker, J et al. “Brachial plexus birth injury.” The Journal of neuroscience nursing: Journal of the American Association of Neuroscience Nurses vol. 23,6 (1991): 374-80. doi:10.1097/01376517-199112000-00006
Gutkowska, Olga, et al. “Brachial plexus injury after shoulder dislocation: a literature review.” Neurosurgical review vol. 43,2 (2020): 407-423. doi:10.1007/s10143-018-1001-x
Joyner, Benny, et al. “Brachial plexus injury.” Pediatrics in review vol. 27,6 (2006): 238-9. doi:10.1542/pir.27-6-238
Noland, Shelley S et al. “Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries.” The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons vol. 27,19 (2019): 705-716. doi:10.5435/JAAOS-D-18-00433
The neuromusculoskeletal system refers to the nerves, muscles, and bones. Nerve messages flow through the nervous system to coordinate and control every bodily function. Nerve interference causes an imbalance in this system, compromising body function. Uncoordinated or reduced nerve function over time can result in an unhealthy state or disease development. Complex or puzzling symptoms can include:
The nerves in the body are linked to the spinal cord, and when the spinal joints shift out of position, they can compress or kink the nerves, causing malfunction. Even a minor misalignment can create nerve, joint, and muscle tightness that travels throughout the body. This causes imbalances in nearly every other bodily system, forcing it to change in negative ways and typically becomes worse with time. Injuries from slips and falls, playing sports, accidents, unhealthy ergonomics, and repetitive/overuse motions can cause nerve injuries. Nerve dysfunction or damage can irritate the nerves causing nerve irritation that leads to nerve interference. Nerve damage can cause numbness, tingling, discomfort, and pain.
Dizziness and Mental Fog
Nerve interference can cause brain fog, sluggishness, dizziness, and anxiety.
If the brain and nervous system’s communication is disrupted by damage or injury to the nerves, mental ability may become confused and muddled.
Negatively Affect Sleep
Nerve interference can produce discomfort all over the body, causing sleep problems.
During restorative sleep, nerve interference can interrupt memory and cognitive function.
Gastrointestinal symptoms like indigestion, acid reflux, constipation, diarrhea, GERD, and nausea can present suddenly.
Back Pain
Back discomfort and pain can be caused by nerve issues.
Nerve pain can be aching, pinching, throbbing, or stabbing in the upper, middle, and lower back areas.
Numbness
Nerve signals can get mixed up or sent to the wrong areas.
Nerve interference reduces nerve energy circulation, causing tingling and numbing sensations in different body regions.
Recovery Problems
Pain could result from a past injury making injuries more difficult to heal.
Nerve interference can cause the body to become stiff, immobile, and numb, depleting the body’s energy.
Nerve energy transmission is required so the body can react to its surroundings and function correctly.
Chiropractic
Nerve blockage can be cleared through functional chiropractic medicine.
The nerve/s that are blocked or restricted are worked on through therapeutic percussive massage, manual adjustments, decompression, and stretching exercises.
Therapeutic deep tissue stimulation with or without heat is applied directly to the nerve region to increase circulation.
Proper function of nerves is restored and allows for increased blood circulation that provides increased oxygenated nutrients expediting the healing process.
Discomfort and pain are relieved.
Range of motion increases.
Restoration of muscle function and joint stability.
Tissue repair improves through treatment and nutrition.
Spinal Decompression Therapy
References
Crawford, J P. “Chiropractic intervention in the treatment of joint and soft tissue disorders.” Canadian journal of applied physiology = Revue canadienne de physiologie appliquee vol. 24,3 (1999): 279-89. doi:10.1139/h99-023
Gu, Xiaosong, et al. “Neural tissue engineering options for peripheral nerve regeneration.” Biomaterials vol. 35,24 (2014): 6143-56. doi:10.1016/j.biomaterials.2014.04.064
Mackinnon, Susan E. “Pathophysiology of nerve compression.” Hand clinics vol. 18,2 (2002): 231-41. doi:10.1016/s0749-0712(01)00012-9
Norton, Charles E et al. “Role of perivascular nerve and sensory neurotransmitter dysfunction in inflammatory bowel disease.” American journal of physiology. Heart and circulatory physiology vol. 320,5 (2021): H1887-H1902. doi:10.1152/ajpheart.00037.2021
T Francio, Vinicius. “Chiropractic care for foot drop due to peroneal nerve neuropathy.” Journal of bodywork and movement therapies vol. 18,2 (2014): 200-3. doi:10.1016/j.jbmt.2013.08.004
Sciatica is experienced as lower back pain and pain that radiates down the back of the legs. It is pain caused by compression, irritation, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve. It is generally experienced on one side of the body. Body movements like twisting, bending, sitting, or responses like coughing and sneezing can worsen the pain. Individuals with sciatica also experience muscle weakness, numbness, tingling, or electrical shock-like sensations. Injury Medical Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Clinic offer manual and motorized sciatic nerve decompression to stretch/realign the spine, release the compressed nerves, and relieve pain.
Sciatic Nerve Decompression
The spine consists of 23 spinal discs that are shock absorbers for the body during movement. Each disc consists of a soft inner core of a gel substance and a thick outer layer. Wear and tear of the spinal discs from aging, degenerative disc disease, repetitive physical activities like lifting and bending, obesity, and poor posture are some of the factors that can stress the spine, causing the thick outer layer of the spinal disc to crack/breakdown causing the soft inner core to leak out forming a bulging or herniated disc. This type of injury compresses, pinches, or irritates one or more nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve, triggering sciatica.
Spinal stenosis or the narrowing of the spinal canal.
Spondylolisthesis, or the slipping or dislocation of the spinal vertebrae in the lower part of the spine.
Are also known sciatica causes.
Symptoms
Common compressed nerve symptoms include:
Pain or burning sensations radiating down the leg.
Because branches of the sciatic nerve extend from the lumbar spine through the buttocks and down the leg, pain, burning sensations or dull aching can present along the nerve’s pathway if the nerve gets compressed or irritated.
Weakness in the affected leg.
When walking or moving the legs, the nerves transmit information to the brain, stimulating the muscles to react in specific ways.
A pinched sciatic nerve can cause interference with relaying signals, resulting in weakness.
Numbness.
The compression impedes blood circulation and nerve energy transmission.
Spinal decompression therapy relieves pressure on the spine by pulling/stretching it in small increments. Non-surgical spinal decompression creates negative pressure within the discs. The negative pressure pulls or vacuums back the disc material that has protruded or herniated and an abundance of nutrients to activate the healing response. The chiropractor, physical therapist, or nurse uses motorized medical equipment with sensors linked to a computer-aided system to perform the procedure. The equipment is designed to adjust the pull force accordingly to prevent muscle resistance. The adjustable table also allows the spine to be stretched at different angles to target the upper or lower back.
The objective of spinal decompression treatment is to relieve the symptoms of sciatica or disc disorders and heal the injured disc. We utilize spinal decompression as an effective tool in treating a vast array of spinal conditions.
DRX9000 Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression
References
Berry, James A et al. “A Review of Lumbar Radiculopathy, Diagnosis, and Treatment.” Cureus vol. 11,10 e5934. 17 Oct. 2019, doi:10.7759/cureus.5934
Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2022 Feb 4]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
Giuffre BA, Jeanmonod R. Anatomy, Sciatic Nerve. [Updated 2021 Jul 29]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482431/
National Institutes of Health. (2019.) “Sciatica.” https://medlineplus.gov/sciatica.html
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