Macomb Township Michigan Chiropractor: Sciatica Low Back Pain Numbness Relief Specialist

Aug. 10, 2009 - PRLog -- Sciatica is a very common health complaint that usually affects men and women of various ages.  The sciatic nerves are the largest nerves in the body formed by five smaller nerves that branch off of each side of the spinal cord and run down the back of each leg.  When these nerves become irritated or affected by the inflammation of nearby soft tissues, doctors refer to this as sciatica.  Sciatica describes the symptoms of low back pain, leg pain, numbness, and weakness that travels from the low back, through the buttocks and down the back of the leg.  The cause of these painful symptoms can be one of a number of problems or it can simply be the physical and emotional stress of everyday life.  It is important for people suffering from sciatica to understand that sciatica is a symptom of an underlying problem of something (usually a disc bulge) compressing or irritating one of five nerve roots that make-up the sciatic nerve.  Sciatica is not a medical disorder.  The underlying diagnosis is what needs to be treated in order to relieve the pain of sciatic nerve pain, not the symptoms of sciatica.  
The most common cause of sciatic nerve pain is a bulging or herniated disc that puts pressure on the spinal cord and irritates nearby nerve roots.  These small cartilage pads that are situated between spinal bones, also known as vertebra, are very important to our overall nerve function and spinal health.  Each disc serves as a connector, spacer, and shock absorber for the spine.  When these discs are healthy they are like a wet sponge which is flexible and may allow normal turning and bending.  When the sponge is dry it becomes hard, stiff and can crack easily.  Discs become hard and stiff and begin to deteriorate when normal circulation of the joints becomes impaired preventing the joint fluids from bringing in the nutrients necessary to keep the disc healthy.  This is how many disc problems begin.  Trauma or injury to the spine accelerates disc deterioration.  A disc bulge is when the soft jelly like material in the middle of the disc pushes to one side and swelling occurs which can cause pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots resulting in the painful symptoms associated with sciatica.  A herniated disc is when the soft jelly like material in the middle of the disc ruptures through the outer edge of the disc and beyond to the surrounding nerves and soft tissues.  This also results in the painful symptoms of sciatica such as low back pain, leg pain, tingling, and numbness.  
Other causes of sciatica are spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis.  Spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal narrows and compresses the spinal cord and the nearby nerve roots.  Spondylolisthesis refers to the misalignment or enlarging of vertebrae in the lumbar spine (lower back area).   Both of these conditions are the result of spinal trauma, injury, or everyday stress on the body and cause symptoms similar to those associated with sciatica.  Degenerative disc disease is another common cause of sciatic nerve pain.  Degeneration refers to the process in which the body deposits calcium on the surface of adjacent bones or vertebra that are not moving properly.  This is how the body responds to improperly functioning joints.  This spinal decay process can result in the complete fusion of spinal bones causing many of the severe symptoms associated with sciatica.  Degenerative disc disease can occur throughout the spine, it is not limited to the lumbar spine.  
Chiropractic care is an excellent treatment for sciatica.  In the past, treatment has involved pain medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and even surgery.  These treatments were not only harmful, addictive, and unnecessary but also ineffective in the treatment of sciatic nerve pain.  The chiropractic approach is to use carefully directed and controlled pressure to remove the interference from spinal structures and effectively reduce nerve irritation and associated pain.  McNeil Chiropractic specializes in spinal rehab and the restoration of normal spinal function through specific postural adjustments, postural traction and postural exercises.  Dr. McNeil has helped many patients with sciatica as well as disc problems, low back pain, and degenerative disc disease.  At McNeil Chiropractic it is our goal to help others achieve pain relief and maintain a normal spinal and postural position.  Dr. McNeil knows that proper spinal function, joint function, and mobility are the key to a healthy spine and a healthy life.  Postural chiropractic adjustments help restore mobility to joints which allows joint fluids to bring nutrients to spinal discs resulting in reduced disc bulging and inflammation.  Dr. McNeil has helped many patients suffering from sciatica and other similar conditions avoid needless, risky surgery.  Visit our website to find out more about McNeil Chiropractic and to receive our New Patient Special
http://www.wegotyourback.net/
Also, click the link to hear one patient’s testimony of her success with sciatica:
http://www.wegotyourback.net/successstories.html
Also, you can click the link below to watch Dr. McNeil's short video about sciatica and disc bulge and how chiropractic can help:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7lWyqXqXAs


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LpfjjvQhWLc

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McNeil Chiropractic uses the unique system of Chiropractic Bio Physics (CBP) to achieve a normal spinal and postural position. Dr. McNeil is the first chiropractor in MI to certify in CBP and the only certified chiropractor in Macomb County.