Suffering from the pain and debilitating symptoms of sciatica? Dr. Fermin de la Jara at Virginia Family Chiropractic Health Center in Woodbridge, VA, offers natural, effective, and personalized sciatica relief.
Guide to Relief from Sciatica Through Chiropractic Care
Sciatica is a common condition that leaves many people suffering from hard-to-ignore pain and other symptoms. It’s often thought that surgery is required to find relief, and many people find themselves desperate enough to resort to such measures. However, chiropractors like Dr. de la Jara at Virginia Family Chiropractic Health Center in Woodbridge, VA, can help patients achieve lasting sciatica relief through natural methods. Learn more about how below.
Understanding Sciatica
Though it’s often referred to as an injury or condition, sciatica is actually the term used for symptoms created from compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve, the longest nerve in the body, branches out from the spinal cord in the lower back and travels down each leg to the foot. When it becomes compressed, it creates symptoms such as:
- Burning aches or pain
- Sharp, shooting pains anywhere from the lower back down the legs
- Muscle weakness
- Numbness, especially in the extremities
These symptoms are present on the side of the body where the compression lies.
While every patient is different and the exact cause of the compression can vary, the most common causes are typically the following:
- Chronic poor posture
- Repetitive heavy lifting or lifting with poor technique
- Herniated discs, either from an accident or chronic poor spinal habits
- Disc degeneration, which is common with aging
- Obesity
- Sitting for long periods
- Sedentary lifestyles
Chiropractic Approach to Treating Sciatica
Chiropractic care aims to offer lasting relief from the issue, which requires first understanding the underlying root of the condition. With sciatica, this means determining what exactly is compressing your nerve and what incidents or daily factors led to it occurring.
Once this information is determined, a personalized care plan is put into place. Often, this includes the following techniques and more.
- Adjustments: As misalignment is often a contributor to herniated discs and nerve compression, restoring proper alignment is an essential step.
- Therapeutic exercises: Targeted stretching movements can help relieve pressure on the nerves and discs by creating space in the spinal column. Strengthening movements can help improve the core, which is necessary for proper spinal support.
- Soft tissue therapy: Massage therapy, therapeutic laser, ultrasound therapy, and other techniques can improve blood flow to the injured tissues and improve spinal health.
Experience customized sciatica relief by visiting Dr. de la Jara at Virginia Family Chiropractic Health Center in Woodbridge, VA. Call (703) 730-1600 to schedule an appointment today.