What is sciatica and how is it treated?

Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg.

Sciatica most often occurs when a herniated disk or an overgrowth of bone puts pressure on part of the nerve. This causes inflammation, pain and often some numbness in the affected leg.

Although the pain associated with sciatica can be severe, most cases clear up with treatment in a few weeks. ¹

Symptoms

Sciatica pain can be almost anywhere along the nerve pathway. It's especially likely to follow a path from the low back to the buttock and the back of a thigh and calf.

The pain can vary from a mild ache to a sharp, burning pain. Sometimes it can feel like a jolt or electric shock. It can be worse when coughing or sneezing or sitting a long time. Usually, sciatica affects only one side of the body.

Some people also have numbness, tingling or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. One part of the leg can be in pain, while another part can feel numb. ²

Does chiropractic help?

Chiropractic care can effectively treat the underlying cause of sciatica while reducing symptoms. A chiropractor can provide spinal adjustments that help decrease pain, inflammation, and spasms caused by sciatica.

Depending on the underlying cause of sciatic nerve pain, a chiropractic treatment plan may include spinal adjustments, ultrasound therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), and ice/cold therapy:

• Spinal adjustment: Spinal adjustment is both safe and effective for sciatica. The spine can move more freely thanks to adjustments, which also aids in repositioning misplaced vertebral bodies (subluxations) in the spinal column. Researchers advise using chiropractic adjustment before resorting to painkillers, muscle relaxants, opioids, injections, and surgery to treat lower back pain.

• Ultrasound therapy: Moderate heat produced by ultrasound therapy is due to sound waves that deeply penetrate the soft tissues of the muscles. Ultrasound therapy increases blood circulation and helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, and stiffness.

• TENS: A TENS unit is a battery-operated portable muscle stimulator. Electrical currents of varying intensities can manage acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Chiropractors, physical therapists, and other rehab specialists use larger variations of the home-use TENS devices.

• Ice/cold therapy: Ice/cold therapy can help reduce inflammation and manage sciatic pain. ³

If you think you are suffering from sciatica, schedule an appointment today and get back on track!

Important Pricing Updates

As with every business, PCW must periodically adjust its pricing structure to keep with rising costs of doing business. If you are part of our Monthly Wellness Club, you will see no change to your current pricing structure. If you’re interested in joining the Wellness Club, here is the cost breakdown:

Effective February 19th, the Single Visit and New Patient payment structures will be:

• New Patient First Appointment price (we do not file insurance and all payments are due at time of service) ages 0-17 and over 65: $40

• New Patient First Appointment price (we do not file insurance and all payments are due at time of service) ages 18-64: $60

• Single Visit follow-up appointments ages 0-17 and over 65: $30

• Single Visit follow-up appointments ages 18-64: $45

Effective April 1st, Package Pricing* will be adjusted to the following:

Ages 0-17 AND 65+:

• 5 visits: $140 ($28/visit)

• 10 visits: $260 (26/visit)

• 25 visits: $625 ($25/visit) — Popular HSA/FSA option!

Ages 18-64:

• 5 visits: $200 ($40/visit)

• 10 visits: $360 ($36/visit)

• 25 visits: $850 ($34/visit) — Popular HSA/FSA option!

*Package visits never expire and can be used in either office at any time. They are NON-TRANSFERABLE after purchase. If you wish to purchase a package of 10 or more visits and want to split them with a family member in the same price range, this must be done at time of purchase.

In Health,

Dr Shawn Pomeroy, Dr Kayla May, Maddy, Malarie, and Charlene