Sciatica | Doctors | Specialists | Treatments | Boise, Idaho
Head & Neck Misalignment Is A Commonly Overlooked Cause!
Simply put Sciatica is a pain condition caused by an irritation to the nerves somewhere along the path from the spinal cord to the foot. The sciatic nerve is composed of nerve roots that branch off the spinal cord and exit the spine in the lower back that then group together to become the sciatic nerve. To really get to the root cause of the problem the question then becomes what can interfere with the nerves along the path from the spinal cord down the leg resulting in pain?
The Most Common Causes of Sciatica
1. Trauma (accident and injuries) - Tearing up the connective tissues that hold the spine together. This is the foundation for Sciatica and low back pain to develop over time.
2. A bulging or herniated spinal disc
3. Lumbar spinal stenosis - Chronic irritation and inflammatory lifestyle can result in bone growth and calcification of soft tissues narrowing the canal through which nerves pass.
4. Spondylolisthesis - A condition of the spine where a lumbar vertebrae will slide forward relative to the vertebrae below (or above or both), also damage or fracture to the elements behind the vertebral body (pars defect) can result in a vertebrae slipping forward.
5. Piriformis Syndrome - Abnormal placement, development, tone, or injury can result in symptoms.
6. Atlas Subluxation Complex - Atlas and Axis are the upper two neck bones and due to accidents and injuries they can misalign creating a global postural distortion that frequently results in pelvic unleveling. Chronic lower back pain and sciatica symptoms are the side effects that frequently develop over time. Due to the body imbalance sprains, strains, disc herniations, and degenerative changes are much more likely to occur in the lower back due to the long term global postural imbalance.
7. Being Overweight
8. Muscle weakness due to physical inactivity
9. Pregnancy
10. Spinal Tumors - These are called space occupying lesions or (SOLs). Spinal tumors are very rare.
Sciatica symptoms have a strong tendency to stay on one side of the lower body. Typically the pain extends down from the low back all the way to the foot, however the range can vary from the low back, to buttocks, to thigh, to the calf, all the way down etc.
2. A bulging or herniated spinal disc
3. Lumbar spinal stenosis - Chronic irritation and inflammatory lifestyle can result in bone growth and calcification of soft tissues narrowing the canal through which nerves pass.
4. Spondylolisthesis - A condition of the spine where a lumbar vertebrae will slide forward relative to the vertebrae below (or above or both), also damage or fracture to the elements behind the vertebral body (pars defect) can result in a vertebrae slipping forward.
5. Piriformis Syndrome - Abnormal placement, development, tone, or injury can result in symptoms.
6. Atlas Subluxation Complex - Atlas and Axis are the upper two neck bones and due to accidents and injuries they can misalign creating a global postural distortion that frequently results in pelvic unleveling. Chronic lower back pain and sciatica symptoms are the side effects that frequently develop over time. Due to the body imbalance sprains, strains, disc herniations, and degenerative changes are much more likely to occur in the lower back due to the long term global postural imbalance.
7. Being Overweight
8. Muscle weakness due to physical inactivity
9. Pregnancy
10. Spinal Tumors - These are called space occupying lesions or (SOLs). Spinal tumors are very rare.
Sciatica symptoms have a strong tendency to stay on one side of the lower body. Typically the pain extends down from the low back all the way to the foot, however the range can vary from the low back, to buttocks, to thigh, to the calf, all the way down etc.
What Are The Most Common Symptoms of Sciatica?
1. Literally a pain in the butt (pun intended) that usually remains on one side.
2. Tingling or burning pain down the leg
3. Numbness, weakness, changes in muscle tone, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
4. Shooting pain that can result in difficulty getting up or down or even standing
5. Lower back pain
6. Hip pain
2. Tingling or burning pain down the leg
3. Numbness, weakness, changes in muscle tone, or difficulty moving the leg or foot
4. Shooting pain that can result in difficulty getting up or down or even standing
5. Lower back pain
6. Hip pain
Natural Treatment For Chronic Sciatica Symptoms
The most commonly overlooked source of sciatica and low back pain as we mentioned above is a misalignment of Atlas or Axis in the upper neck to the point that it throws the head off center and thus out of balance. The effect of this is global in that your head will lean to one side you will have a low shoulder, a high hip, and one leg will be shorter than the other. Spinal imbalance is not significant until we add the component of TIME, in that gravity never stops, it pushes down on us day after day and with an unbalanced spine it will create high stress areas the 3 most common being right where the head and neck meet, the lower neck/upper back/shoulder area, and the lower back/pelvis/hips area. These areas have a very high tendency to become irritated, inflamed, and ultimately degenerate over TIME. This is the reason upper cervical chiropractors are so concerned with spinal balance, spinal health and spinal hygiene.
Dr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native that works with a nationwide group of Doctors expertly trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure.
To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541.
Dr. Grayson Blom is a Boise, Idaho native that works with a nationwide group of Doctors expertly trained and specializing in the Upper Cervical procedure. Dr. Blom is also one of the few Doctors in the state of Idaho trained and certified in the Upper Cervical procedure.
To schedule an appointment to determine if you are a candidate for upper cervical care click the button below or call 208-559-0541.
Is There A Connection Between Head and Neck Injuries, Low Back Pain and Sciatica?
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References:
1. Oliverio AB. Review of the Literature. Adjusting Only the Cervical Spine and its Effect on Low Back Pain. Chiropractic Research Journal, 1994; 3(1):3-6.
2. Knutson GA. Rapid Elimination of Chronic Back Pain and Suspected Long-Term Postural Distortion with Upper Cervical Vectored Manipulation. Chiropractic Research Journal, 1999; 6(2):57-64.
3. Kessinger RC, Boneva DV. A New Approach to the Upper Cervical Specific, Knee-Chest Adjusting Procedure: Part 1. Chiropractic Research Journal, 2000; 7(1):14-32.
4. Sweat R. Correction of Multiple Herniated Lumbar Discs by Chiropractic Intervention. Journal of Chiropractic Case Reports, 1993; 1(1):14-17.
2. Knutson GA. Rapid Elimination of Chronic Back Pain and Suspected Long-Term Postural Distortion with Upper Cervical Vectored Manipulation. Chiropractic Research Journal, 1999; 6(2):57-64.
3. Kessinger RC, Boneva DV. A New Approach to the Upper Cervical Specific, Knee-Chest Adjusting Procedure: Part 1. Chiropractic Research Journal, 2000; 7(1):14-32.
4. Sweat R. Correction of Multiple Herniated Lumbar Discs by Chiropractic Intervention. Journal of Chiropractic Case Reports, 1993; 1(1):14-17.
