Sciatica Treatment

Sciatica Treatment

For severe or ongoing flare ups of sciatic nerve pain the condition may need to be treated so that it does not get worse over time.

For others, when the pain is severe or does not get better on its own, a more structured treatment approach, and possibly surgery, may offer the best approach to finding pain relief and preventing or minimizing future pain and/or dysfunction.

Non-Surgical Treatment for Sciatica Non-surgical sciatica treatments encompass a broad range of options, with the goal of relieving pain caused by compressed nerve roots.  One or some combination of the treatments below are usually recommended in conjunction with specific sciatica exercisis.

ICE and HEAT are very simple and underrated for treatment of acute sciatic pain, Use heat  Sparingly, HOT showers for 10 minutes and or hot tub soaks Followed by 20 or 30 minutes of ICE. Works wonders.   The best ones I can find are the “clay type Ice packs and are readily available on amazon. A word of caution the shipping may be more than the actual product. If you do not have a “prime account” Contact me and can help with that extra cost. http://tinyurl.com/good-ice-pack-amazon another option is a bit less expensive only because the casing is just a bit thinner both work but you may be replacing the blue one just a little bit sooner and you will need to be just a bit more careful with it. http://tinyurl.com/blue-ice-pack-with-thiner-case   if you have problems I have the black ones. (Same Price as anazon) the Ice will help temporarily alleviate the leg pain, especially in the initial phase.  Usually ice or heat is applied for approximately 20 minutes, and repeated every two hours.  I recommend using heat first in moderation and then ice. Remember Ice shrinks swollen tissues which is generally responsible for the pain. Ice also speeds up healing time.

Pain Medications

Over the counter prescription medications may also be helpful in relieving sciatica pain.  Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or COX-2 inhibitors), or oral steroids can reduce the inflammation that is usually a contributing factor in causing sciatica pain. Use this only for two weeks

Biopuncture Injections for Sciatica

If the pain is severe, an injection www.biopuncture.infoor can be performed to reduce inflammation.  An biopuncture injection is different from traditional steroidal medications because it injects healthy herbal remedies directly to the painful area around the sciatic nerve to help decrease the inflammation and increase healing time unlike steroids which simply mask the problem that may be causing the pain.

While the effects of a steroid injection tend to be temporary (providing pain relief for as little as one week up to a year), and it does not work for everyone, an epidural steroid injection can be effective in providing relief from an acute episode of sciatic pain.  Importantly, it can provide sufficient relief to allow a patient to progress with a chiropractic conditioning and exercise program.

Dr. David Thomson  

www.thespineline.ccom

Here is the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:

A slip on the sidewalk, in the winter, is a SMALL thing. It happens to millions. A fall off a ladder, in summer, is a SMALL thing. This happens to millions.

The slip or fall has the potential to misalign a bone in the spine called a subluxation. That specific subluxation is a small thing. The subluxation produces pressure upon the brain stem, with its trillions of nerve fibers. That pressure is a SMALL thing. This specific pressure produces interferences and reduces flow over the nerves. That decreased flow is a SMALL thing. That decreased quantity flow of nerve supply produces a specific dis-eased brain or body. THAT is a BIG thing to THAT person.

Multiply THAT man by a thousand, and you control the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million and you shape the physical and mental destiny of a state. Multiply THAT man by 315 million and you forecast and prophesy the mental and physical status of a nation.

So, the slip or the fall; the creation of a specific subluxation, consequent pressure, reduce nerve flow and dis-ease IS BIG enough to control the thoughts and actions of a nation.

Now comes a man; and any one man is a SMALL thing. This man gives a specific adjustment upon the specific subluxation; and that adjustment is a SMALL thing. The adjustment replaces the bone back in normal alignment, and that is a SMALL thing. The adjusted subluxation releases pressure upon nerves; and that is a SMALL thing. The released pressure restores health to A man, and THAT is a BIG thing to THAT man.

Multiply THAT man by a thousand men, and you step up the physical and mental welfare of a city. Multiply THAT man by a million, and you increase the efficiency of a state. Multiply THAT well man by 315 million, and you produce a healthy, wealthy, better race for posterity, in a nation.

Man is a SMALL thing, worlds considered. A subluxation is small, man considered. The alignment of bones in the spine, is small. The neural canal, in a spine, is also SMALL. Yet, that bone, small as it is; crowding in upon the neural canal, small as it is, acts as a governor to the destiny of man’s thots and functions; for it, in normal position permits a free flow, or in subluxation interferes with a free flow of all that force with which man thinks and acts. Man lives when he CAN think and act. Man dies when he CEASES to create thot and perform motion. Man becomes sick when thot and function are below par. Therefore, the alignment of the spine may be a SMALL thing, but it is the BIGGEST thing in man.

So, the specific adjustment of the bone in a specific subluxation, to release pressures upon the nerves, to restore normal quantity nerve flow, to restore health IS BIG enough to rebuild the thoughts and actions of the world.

Here is the MILLION DOLLAR QUESTION:

What pill or drug is ever going to get that bone to MOVE back in place?

NONE!

By Dr. Robert Moore - http://www.awesomedr.com

The USA takes 60 percent of the worlds psychiatric drugs.

Amazing Fact:

Utah uses the most medication in the nation.

Should I workout when I have back, neck or joint pain.

People with spine and joint pain often ask me if they should be working out during the first phase of pain as they are under treatment, Caution should be used when specific high impact workouts are involved. For example the new popular "ZUMBA" is definitely not advised when a low back or cervical injury is present. And covering up the symptoms by taking drugs and anti-inflammatory medications will prolong the healing process. The best advice I give to my patients is that all joints need movement in order to replenish the blood and synovial fluid, this fluid carries the nutrition to help heal the individual injured joint. It is also important to remember that the muscles need to maintain integrity. In the past, the traditional medical approach was bed rest. This turned out to be bad advice, low impact stretching and walking have proven to be a much safer way to continue to heal and maintain the joints, ligaments, tendons and muscles. It is very important to stay active but not using high impact workouts. Stay activebut use yoga or other stretches that may not cause damage but may cause discomfort or some minor pain to occur but as long as you understand what the nature of your individual injury is you can make correct decisions. I can and am willing to help you to maintain healthy joints and muscle structure. Keep the muscles strong, but you really don't want to work out so much that you may damage your spine or joints. Be wise and be gentle while your body heals. It may be difficult to distinguish some pain and what would be detrimental.

please callme at my office for help with your program.

Dr. David B. Thomson

Chiropractor Acupuncture

www.thespineline.com

801-547-6688

Sports Injuries, Back Injuries, and Back Pain

Sports Injuries, Back Injuries, and Back Pain

Exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, and sports are one approach many people choose to use to get their exercise.

For people with back pain, sports can still be a viable option if they pay attention to their back.

For others who participate in sports, knowing the type of strain various sports place on the back may help prevent a back injury.

This article give specific information about sports injuries and back pain.

Types of Sports-Related Back Injuries

When participating in any sport, injuries to any part of the spine are possible, as well as injuries to the soft tissue and fascia that help comprise the makeup of the body.  Up to 20% of all injuries that occur in sports involve an injury to the lower back or neck.

Lower Back injury

The lower back is subject to a great deal of strain in many sports.  Sports that use repetitive impact (e.g., running), a twisting motion (e.g., golf), or weight loading at the end of a range-of-motion (e.g., weightlifting) commonly cause damage to the lower back.

Neck Injury

The neck is most commonly injured in sports that involve contact (e.g., football), which place the cervical spine (neck) at risk of injury. Whiplash common in an auto accident can be caused by impact's im any contact sport.

Upper Back Injury

The thoracic spine (mid portion of the spine at the level of the rib cage) is less likely to be injured because it is relatively immobile and has extra support.  Injuries seen here can involve rib fracture and intercostals neuralgia as well as intercostals muscle strains in sports that involve rotation of the torso (e.g., weight training with rotation), swimming, golf, tennis and even skiing.

Stretching and Warm-Up Prior to Exercise

For every sport, a thorough warm-up should be completed before starting to play.  The warm-up will target the muscles used in that sport, but it should also prepare the back for the stresses to come.

The warm-up used should be specific to the sport to be played.  A typical warm-up should include:

-Increase circulation gradually by doing some easy movement (such as walking) to increase blood circulation to the muscles and ligaments of the back;

-Stretch the lower and upper back and related muscles, including hamstrings and quadriceps

-Start slowly with the sport movements (e.g., swing the golf club, serve the ball)

If you have questions please talk with me. I can help you determine what your limits might be and suggest an appropriate amount of exercise and exertion.  I can also help you with up to date information on the latest evidence related to stretching, exercise routines for specific sports and additional information designed to benefit your personal routine.