Sciatica

Chiropractic Treatment FAQs

What types of medical conditions can chiropractors treat?

A back pain physician in Phoenix, Arizona is a doctor who specializes in chiropractic treatments. They can treat patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly who suffer from a wide range of health issues. Although most people think of chiropractic treatments as only focused on headaches and back or neck pain, a back pain physician also treats patients who suffer from disorders or injuries to the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of joints, ligaments, and muscles. All of these health issues can affect the nervous system, which triggers pain and hampers the use of the affected area.

How are chiropractic adjustments performed?

When a Phoenix AZ back pain physician performs an adjustment, he or she will use their hands and/or an instrument in order to manipulate the body’s joints, especially in the spine. This is done to enhance or restore the function of the joint. One of the benefits of this manipulation is to help alleviate both the inflammation of the joint, as well as the pain that inflammation is causing the patient. A back pain physician will develop a personalized course of adjustments and manipulations for each patient. Many patients report feeling relief from their symptoms immediately after a treatment.

Is it normal for there to be a popping sound during a treatment or the adjustment causing damage?

When a Phoenix AZ back pain physician is adjusting a joint, there is often a release of a gas bubble which is sitting between the joints. It is this release which causes the popping sound. This is similar to the sounds of cracking or popping that occurs when a person cracks the joints of their knuckles. That change is pressure on the joint releases the gas bubbles, making the same type of sound.

Is chiropractic treatment safe?

Yes, in fact, chiropractic treatment is considered one of the safest non-invasive and drug-free treatments there is for the muscle and nerve systems of the body. Before a Phoenix AZ back pain physician can begin practicing, they must go through years of extensive education and training. The risks that are associated with chiropractic care are minimal. Some patients do report feeling mild aching, soreness, or stiffness following a treatment, similar to how people feel after they overdue chores or exercises. Any discomfort will usually be gone within a day or so. If a back pain physician in Phoenix AZ feels that a patient needs to see a medical doctor for their condition, they will not hesitate to make that recommendation.

How safe is chiropractic treatment for children?

Chiropractic treatment is safe for children and there are many health issues where children can benefit from this type of natural and non-invasive care.

There are many conditions that newborns suffer from, including allergic reactions, breastfeeding issues, chronic infections, colic, reflux, and sleep issues which can be directly connected to irritation of the baby’s nervous system caused by cranial and spinal misalignments. These misalignments often occur during birth and can actually affect how soon a baby holds up their head, sits up, crawls, and walks.

Toddlers and older children often suffer misalignments from falls, playing, sports, sitting all day at desks in school, and carrying heavy backpacks.

Sciatica

If you’re in pain from your sciatic nerve, you may be looking for remedies that do not involve surgery or medication. Chiropractic treatments are effective alternatives to invasive surgery and drugs for many conditions. Many people have found relief from sciatic pain from Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor – thanks to the chiropractic care that we offer.

Chiropractic care offers long-term health solutions because it focuses on the cause rather than the symptoms of a condition. It’s possible that your sciatic nerve pain is due to one or more issues that can be addressed by a Phoenix, AZ back pain physician. Call us to schedule an exam with a today. After a complete exam and diagnosis, you should have a clearer understanding of your condition and how it might best be treated.

What is the sciatic nerve?

The sciatic is the body’s largest nerve and is located from the lower back to your toes on both feet. Sciatica is the name given to the condition whereby the sciatic nerve is irritated, which in turn can be very painful. As a back pain physician in Phoenix, AZ from Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor – is well aware, the level of pain that a person suffers can increase over time. It can be beneficial to seek treatment before the condition has time to worsen.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

This will vary from person to person, which underscores the importance of getting an examination by a Phoenix, AZ back pain physician. Some people will experience few symptoms, while others may suffer from many symptoms. This list of symptoms is not inclusive but they are some of the most common ones:

• • Discomfort or tremendous pain (or anything in-between) in one or both legs or the backside that feels worse when you sit down.

• • A tingling or burning sensation that travels the length of one or both legs.

• • A near inability to move the foot or leg and which may be accompanied by numbness or weakness in one or both legs.

• • Consistent pain on one side of the buttocks or the other.

• Shooting pain that inhibits the ability to stand.

What causes sciatica?

When the sciatic nerve is irritated at the base of the lumbosacral spine and lower lumbar, sciatica can develop.

• • A bone in the lower back that is misaligned or a bulging disc can cause nerve impingement which may result in sciatica. A back pain physician in Phoenix, AZ can realign your back so that the bone no longer irritates your sciatic nerve.

• • A rotated pelvis can irritate the sacroiliac joint, in front of which is the sciatic nerve. The pelvis may have rotated due to a muscle imbalance caused by a fall, surgery, or sports activity. A back pain physician may be able to treat your muscle imbalance which can lead to sciatica relief.

• Obesity, as well as a lack of sufficient exercise, can also irritate the sciatic nerve. As a back pain physician understands very well, nutrition and exercise are of utmost importance for optimum health. We work with many of our patients to help them transition to a healthier lifestyle which can lead to improvements in many conditions, including sciatica.

If you would like to find out how a back pain physician Phoenix, AZ patients recommend may be able to treat your sciatica pain, call Dr. Monte Hessler – Team Chiropractor –  today to schedule an exam.