Sciatica & Back Pain – Chiropractic Healing
By Joy E. Roberts, D.C. & Doris Chan Leach
When you hear the word sciatica many people associate it with pain down the leg. Sciatica is a name given to pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve which is the longest and widest nerve in the human body. This nerve exits from the spinal column goes through the buttocks, and down the leg. Typically, one leg is affected but both legs can be. Branches of this nerve control the muscles in the leg and supplies sensation to the leg and foot. Many people do not realize that when they have pain in the leg or numbness and tingling in the toes that the pain is coming from a pinched nerve in the lower back. This nerve compression can come from multiple sources such as a subluxation or a misalignment in the spine, degenerative changes in bone, and more commonly a disc disorder. This compression can come suddenly; like from a physical trauma (car accident, sports injury, fall), or it can happen over time from poor posture, repetitive motions or misaligned vertebrae. Pain from the compressed nerve can range from a mild annoyance to excruciating and immobilizing.
Pain radiating from the low back into the buttocks and down the leg is a warning sign. It is like when the check engine light comes on in the car. Unless you act and find the cause of the problem, the engine light will continue to come on. Covering the warning message in the car will not take care of the problem, just as ignoring pain or covering the pain with medication will not solve the problem. The cause of the compression or misalignment must be addressed, or the problem will continue and eventually worsen.
Yes, chiropractic is a good choice of treatment. A recent study found that 60% of people who were thought to need surgery from chronic sciatica benefited equally as well from chiropractic care as they would have from surgery.
As chiropractors, we look to the spine as the cause of the problem. If there is a misalignment of the vertebra, there is increased stress to the joints and abnormal pressure to the nerves. This also causes increased pressure and stress to the disc, and the discal material can press out into the openings where the nerves exit causing “compression” or pinching of the nerves. Abnormal positioning and lack of motion in the spinal bones can lead to degenerative changes in the bones.
At reNu Chiropractic, we specialize in finding the underlying cause, and we work to bring your spine back into proper alignment. Relieving pressure and irritation from the nerve allows for proper nerve flow, in turn relieving the sciatica pain. With over 25 years of experience, we have helped many patients with low back pain and sciatica. We invite you to come to our office for a consultation and evaluation.
Testimonials
“I have been coming to reNu for around 3 years. When I started, I had several bad sciatica nerve situations that left me unable to function at all. After a few weeks of specialized care designed for my specific back issues, I have been incident free. I continue the therapy and regular maintenance visits to ensure the pain and debilitating nerve issue does not return. Thanks to the reNu team for keeping me mobile.” ~ Kerry B., Bear, DE
“I was getting pain down my legs. A month later no more pain down my legs. I feel a lot better now. Very nice people here. I am very, very happy!” ~ Chris K., Bear, DE
“ReNu Chiropractic had me pain free within 3 weeks after experiencing back and leg pain for 2 months. The employees are friendly and caring, and both doctors are excellent. I would recommend reNu to anyone. In fact, my son is coming for his back pains.” ~ Rick V., Newark, DE
Dr. Joy E. Roberts is a chiropractor with reNu Chiropractic in Newark, DE. She graduated from Palmer College of Chiropractic in 1994. Dr. Roberts is married and has three children. She has over 24 years of experience working with patients of all ages utilizing gentle and effective techniques. She has post graduate work in a variety of topics and conditions including: whiplash, sports injuries, cold laser therapy, functional assessment, rehabilitation, extremity adjustments, impulse adjusting, and Foot Leveler’s orthotics.
Doris Chan Leach is a chemical engineer by training. She had successful careers in the medical and chemical industries, Becton, Dickinson & Co., and DuPont Company for over 15 years. She changed her career to follow her passion for natural healing. She had provided vision, leadership, operation and marketing for Park Place Chiropractic for 8 years. Doris started reNu Chiropractic Wellness & Injury in 2013 and is currently expanding their services to provide total health and wellness to Delaware communities.
