Stop letting sciatica symptoms run your life! Let East West Chiropractic get to the root of the problem and give you your life back.
Why You’re Feeling That Shooting Pain
The intervertebral discs are soft, cushion-like structures between the vertebrae of the spine. These discs act as shock absorbers, helping to maintain flexibility and absorb pressure. A disc injury occurs when the disc is damaged or degenerates which leads to pain, discomfort, and in some cases, nerve-related symptoms. Common types of disc injuries include herniated discs (also called slipped or ruptured discs), bulging discs, and degenerative disc disease (DDD).
Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock and down the leg, caused by the irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve carries signals for movement and sensation and when compressed, can cause a wide range of neurological symptoms and discomfort.
Symptoms
The symptoms of a herniated or bulging disc vary in location and intensity depending on where in the spine the disc bulge is occurring. Some symptoms include:
- Pain which can range from a dull ache to sharp, burning or shooting
- Numbness and tingling
- Muscle weakness
- Loss of bladder or bowel control
- Sciatica
- Cervical herniation: pain in the neck, shoulders, upper back, and arms, as well as numbness or tingling in the hands and fingers
- Thoracic herniation: pain in the mid-back, which can wrap around the chest, as well as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the lower extremities
- Lumbar herniation: pain in the lower back, buttocks, legs, and feet, as well as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the legs
Treatment
The majority of disc injuries are successfully treated with conservative care. Chiropractic care is an effective, non-invasive treatment option for individuals with disc injuries. By decreasing the disc bulge and alleviating pain, mobility and quality of life are returned.
After conducting a thorough evaluation we will design a treatment plan tailored to the individual’s specific condition to ensure safety and effectiveness.
- Chiropractic Adjustments and Mobilizations to correct misalignments and improve function of the vertebrae, and relieve pressure on the discs and surrounding nerves. Returning movement and function of the vertebrae and disc(s) helps reduce pain and can prevent further degeneration of the disc. This includes manual (diversified) adjustments, instrument assisted (impulse) adjustments, and Cox Flexion/Distraction technique.
- Traction and Spinal Decompression to increase lumbar and/or cervical disc heights and reduce nerve impingement, which in turn reduces pain, numbness, and tingling.
- Treatment Modalities such as electric muscle stimulation (EMS), massage, dry needling, and shockwave therapy to relax and improve the function of tight muscles in the neck, back and surrounding areas.
- Pulsed Electromagnetic Field Therapy (PEMF) to address short term and long term pain relief by influencing cellular activity, enhancing circulation and promoting the body’s natural healing process.
- Corrective/Core Stability Exercises may be incorporated to help strengthen the muscles around the spine and support the discs. Strengthening the core and back muscles can reduce pressure on the discs and help prevent future injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
While all chiropractors use similar treatments, they may have different approaches on how to treat a patient to get the best result. As with any medical profession, doctors can have their own skill sets and specialties that set them apart. It is best to set up a consultation to determine which chiropractor is best for you.
EWC does accept some insurances, however, every plan is different and therefore deductibles, copays and out of pocket expenses vary greatly. Our experienced insurance manager will verify your coverage and provide you with a summary of your chiropractic benefits. Please note verification is not a guarantee of benefits or payment. We also offer very affordable cash rates and care packages to fit
your needs.
Each disc injury case is unique and many factors are taken into consideration including: how severe the injury is, how long the symptoms have been present and the overall health of the spine and patient. We specialize in disc injuries at EWC and our goal is to treat non-invasively whenever possible.
At East West Chiropractic in Groton, CT, our expert team is dedicated to helping you live pain-free through personalized chiropractic care with non-invasive therapies. We educate and empower our patients to live healthier and achieve optimal quality of life.
Pain relief and better health is just one call away. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and begin your journey to a more active and fulfilling life.