If you’re experiencing pain down one or both legs, it’s often referred to as sciatica, and can range from a dull annoyance to extreme, incapacitating pain.

The sciatic nerve is actually a large bundle of many smaller nerves that originate from the spine in your lower back. So, even if you have only pain in the calf, treatment must be rendered to the spine.

Generally, the further down the leg the symptoms travel, the worse the problem is. Instead of pain, the symptoms can manifest as numbness or tingling, and as the nerves become more and more pinched, you can begin to lose strength in the lower leg and foot. If left untreated, the damage to the nerves of the sciatic can be permanent.

What’s The Cause?

The smaller nerves that form the sciatic nerve, exit your spine directly behind the spinal discs. These discs, if injured, can bulge, herniate or rupture, applying pressure to the smaller nerves and sending pain signals down the leg.

The discs can be injured by a car accident, bending to lift something, or through cumulative damage from years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight, etc.

Generally, sitting, bending, coughing, or sneezing aggravates the symptoms. There is often increased pain when first getting out of bed in the mornings as well.

Does It Get Worse?

As we age, we often develop degeneration of the discs and joints of the spine as well. This can lead to a narrowing of the holes the nerves exit through, as well as the creation of bone spurs that can cause impingement.

People with disc degeneration can remain pain-free, but they have to be conscious of the situation in their spine and understand there is less wiggle room for their nerves.

Tight muscles around the lower back and hips are also a common source of sciatic pain. Injuries, lack of flexibility, poor posture, exercise, prolonged periods of being seated, and pregnancies can all lead to tight muscles and sciatic pain.

Achieving Pain Relief

Decompression Therapy: This is the treatment we suggest, it’s non-invasive, pain-free, and achieves fantastic results long term. 

In the past, a patient suffering from disc problems usually was given pain medications, instructed to refrain from physical activities, referred for physical therapy, and when they weren’t progressing they were sent for spinal surgery. Conservative care proved very helpful in many cases, yet there have been some cases when surgery seemed to be the only other option… until now. Today, you don’t have to live with that pain anymore. Thanks to the concerted efforts of a team of top physicians and medical engineers, Spinal Decompression was developed to effectively treat Neck Pain, Lower Back Pain, and Sciatica resulting from Herniated or Degenerated Discs. 

Spinal Decompression not only significantly reduces or eliminates neck and back pain in many patients, but also enables the majority of patients to return to their previous lives. 

What Are The Next Steps

Diagnosing the CAUSE of the neck or back pain and choosing a treatment method is determined by reviewing the patient’s medical history, performing a physical examination, and prescribing further diagnostic tests when necessary.  If, after the above has been completed, it has been determined that the cause of your pain is due to a herniated, bulging, protruding, or extruded disc then a protocol of therapy using the DRX9000 will be prescribed. During each 30-minute treatment session, the patient relaxes comfortably on a heavily-padded bed.

After being secured into position by an upper and lower body harness, the patient can completely relax by watching a DVD, listening to music, or simply taking a nap. Typically, each 30-minute session is divided into 18-phases where spinal decompressive forces alternate between a maximum and minimum therapeutic level. The cycling of forces in this manner creates a pumping action that simulates the natural processes responsible for nourishing the intervertebral disc.

Once the protocol is complete, you can expect to return to an active, healthy, pain-free lifestyle again.

The Takeaway

If you are interested in learning how to reduce your sciatica and nerve pain, I encourage you to schedule an appointment with one of our trusted practitioners at SHIN Wellness. We offer many other holistic treatments such as decompression therapy, acupuncture, chiropractic, neurofeedback, psychology, reiki, nutrition, massage, rolfing and corrective exercise. If you need some help figuring out what service is right for you, try our personalized consultation. Our Wellness Center and Chiropractor office in Miami Florida specializes in restoring your health