What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve branches out from the base of the spine, and a branch goes down each leg all the way to the feet. It is the largest nerve in the human body and is responsible for controlling the muscles in the hips, buttocks, and thighs.
Sciatica is a condition characterized by irritation of the sciatic nerve. Pressure on the nerve causes pain that radiates down from the back and through the legs. Sciatica is not usually life-threatening, but the pain can be unpleasant to live with. In some cases, sciatica may be severe enough to impair mobility.
Patients with sciatica generally have two treatment options: pain medication, or surgery. New research has shown promise, however, that sciatica symptoms may be helped by upper cervical care.
Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
The main sign of sciatica is pain in the buttock, hip, and/or back of the leg. It may be an ache that radiates, or it may be a shooting pain. Some patients may experience numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation.
Sciatica pain can be exacerbated by standing, walking, or sitting down for too long. This makes it very difficult to get comfortable and go about your daily activities. Sciatica discourages people from engaging in exercise or other activities and can lead to weakness in the leg muscles.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Sciatica
It may surprise you to know that the problem in your lower back, hips, or legs could originate in your neck, but it is true. The upper cervical spine is made up of the seven top vertebrae of the spinal column. They begin at the base of the skull and run through the neck.
The upper cervical spine is the most vulnerable part of the spine, prone to injury from jolts to the head and neck, or from poor posture. When one of these vertebrae is misaligned, it causes a postural shift. You might not even notice your body is compensating for the misalignment, but this shift puts strain on all the joints, muscles, ligaments, and bones going down the rest of the spine. This can cause impingement of the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica.
How Our Sciatica Treatment Works
At Upper Spine Knoxville, our goal is to get at the root of the problem that may be causing sciatica. We offer a safe, drug-free, non-invasive treatment that involves correcting the alignment of the spinal column. This relieves pressure from the sciatic nerve and prompts the body's natural restorative processes to take over and begin healing the damage.
Dr. Bejian Shamloo is an upper cervical specialist who begins treatment with a thorough examination. Using Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) and advanced 3-D imaging, the doctor can better visualize the spine and calculate any misalignments to make more precise adjustments.
Don't suffer from sciatic nerve pain if you don't have to. Call Dr. Shamloo today for an appointment to see if upper cervical care can relieve your sciatic nerve pain. Dr. Shamloo provides upper cervical chiropractic treatment for patients in Knoxville, Alcoa, Maryville, Farragut, Clinton, Oak Ridge, Sevierville, Lenoir City, Karns, Hardin Valley, Powell, Halls, and Fountain City in Tennessee, as well as the surrounding areas.
