Have you been dealing with chronic pain from your lower back down to your foot? If so, you may be suffering from sciatica. Regular chiropractic care at Taylor Chiropractic can improve your quality of life. Luckily, Dr. Virgil Taylor has over two decades of experience as a Clinton, MS, local chiropractor, so he has the expertise to help you with such pain.
What is Sciatica?
This condition occurs from compression of your sciatic nerve. The nerve is the largest one in the body, and it emerges from your lower spine. A common source of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated disc in the lumbar region. You may have herniated a disc when you were lifting something, or if you had an accident. It may have happened during a bad slip and fall at work or home. Maybe you thought you were fine until you started experiencing pain traveling from your lower back down to your thigh and sometimes to the foot. That pain won’t go away until the source of compression is handled. That's when an experienced chiropractor like Dr. Taylor comes in.
How Can Dr. Taylor Help Treat This Condition?
When you visit Dr. Taylor in Clinton, MS, you'll get a treatment plan customized to your sciatica issue. Dr. Taylor will work diligently to put your bulging disc back in place. His main therapeutic techniques include activator adjustments and interferential therapy.
If your condition has also caused any tension in your muscle tissue, then interferential therapy may help. The process uses low-frequency electrical currents that penetrate the skin and force muscles to contract and relax, improving their circulation. However, to help get your bulging disc back in place, activator adjustments will likely be a main part of your treatment. During the activator adjustment, Dr. Taylor uses a handheld device that makes quick pulsed movements to slowly mobilize a disc back in place. Depending on the extent of your spinal problem, you may need to come in for several sessions over weeks.
UNDERSTANDING SCIATICA
Your body consists of many nerves, but the longest one travels all the way from the lower back to the feet. This is called the sciatic nerve, and you have one for each leg. It often becomes compressed, usually by a herniated disc. When the nerve is compressed, it creates many undesirable symptoms. These include but are not limited to:
- Sharp, shooting pain anywhere from the lower back to the feet
- Burning or tingling sensations
- Weakness or numbness, especially in the lower limbs
These symptoms often decrease or go away when you change activities or position.
HOW CHIROPRACTIC CAN HELP
The key to sciatica relief is to remove the compression from the nerve by correcting the source. As stated earlier, the compression often comes from a herniated disc, which is usually the result of a misalignment. Adjustments and manipulation are the most effective way of restoring proper alignment, which relieves pressure on the disc.
Therapeutic exercises are also beneficial for sciatica. These are targeted stretches and movements that help decompress the spine and strengthen the core. As the core is strengthened, it can better support the spine. Soft tissue techniques can also be utilized to improve blood flow to the area, stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
It’s also essential to address the habits that contribute to spinal issues. These can include poor posture, improper lifting techniques, being overweight, and more. Your chiropractor will work with you to determine which factors need to be addressed and provide the necessary guidance.
Find natural and effective sciatica relief by visiting Dr. Taylor at Taylor Chiropractic in Clinton, MS. Call (601) 925-1080 to schedule an appointment today.