Understanding SciaticaYour Sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back down through your legs, is the largest nerve in your body. You have two of them, and each one is connected to your spine by five spinal nerve roots. Sciatica occurs when there is a pressure or irritation against your sciatic nerve or one of its nerve roots.
Sufferers often describe their pain as a burning, searing, or sharp sensation. Though, they may also feel a pressure, numbness, tingling or prickling sensation that radiates down the leg. The pain usually increases when sitting or standing still, it is constant, and it only occurs in the leg with the damaged Sciatic Nerve. Here is a list of the types of pain a person will feel:
While most cases of Sciatica are mild, two signs that it is due to a serious injury are when the person suffering has an inability to control their bowel or bladder, or when there is a progressive weakness or loss of sensation in the leg.
If you suffer from Sciatica, no matter where the pain occurs and regardless of the severity of the pain, you don't need to continue to suffer. We understand the quality of your life has diminished because of your inability to get through a day pain free.
A frequent but underappreciated cause of sciatica begins with your spinal alignment. When accidents and injuries occur to your head, neck or spine the connective tissue that holds this spine in place including muscles, ligaments, tendons etc. are torn leading to a weakness and a breakdown of the normal alignment of the spine. This misalignment pattern frequently begins with a head and neck come together. This is the most vulnerable area of the spinal column. The heavy head resting on a small bone. If misalignment occurs here the entire spinal column will compensate in order to keep the brain and a balanced and level position. One of the most common compensations that develop is in the pelvis. The pelvis will tilt and twist. This tilting and twisting can lead to sciatica, lower back pain and other problems.
Frequently someone suffering from sciatica will use physical therapy, general chiropractic treatments, injections and even surgery to the local area to attempt to address the problem. However if the root cause of the sciatica is beginning in a different area of the spinal column, then regardless of how much localized treatment you have it will never resolve the true cause of the problem. This can lead to frustration, increase expense and unnecessary suffering.
Right now, the best thing you can do to find relief from your pain is to seek out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your upper neck vertebrae and the rest of your spinal column to determine the best course of action.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
If you are experiencing a shooting pain from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down one of your legs, there is good news and bad news. The bad news is there is a chance you are experiencing sciatica, but the good news is you don't need to live with the pain. Though, it is important not to ignore this problem because sciatica may be symptomatic of another problem.
Your body is putting pressure on the sciatic nerve that it is not meant to sustain, but specific chiropractic adjustments can put the body back in alignment. Your sciatic nerve controls various muscles in your back, knees, and lower legs. That means if sciatica is not properly treated it can lead to adverse physical effects such as numbness, tingling, muscle atrophy and even foot drop.
At first, you may only notice a dull pain, but sciatica may also manifest itself as a mild tingling or a burning sensation. The pain typically only occurs on one side of the body, often starts slowly, and can occur at various times. But that pain, if left untreated, can lead to more pressure, more pain, and more problems.
If you feel pain starting from the lower spine that runs down through your leg, chances are you are experiencing Sciatica. It is important that you receive a proper chiropractic evaluation. If it is Sciatica, there are some things you can do before your evaluation.
An upper cervical chiropractor can thoroughly evaluate the alignment of your head neck and spine to determine if postural problems may be leading to your sciatica. This is a very common cause of sciatic pain and if addressed properly can frequently reduce pain quickly while getting to the underlying cause.
References:
http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sciatica/basics/definition/con-20026478
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmedhealth/PMH0001706/
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
So, you were pulling out of a parking space this morning, you stopped at a stop light, or some other scenario. Maybe you had plans to go to the gym later that morning or to just start a load of laundry when you got home. Whatever the scenario, your plans were interrupted when you were sitting in your car and someone hit you from behind.
Now, you are experiencing a pain in your neck, and you keep hoping it will go away. That's whiplash. It will go away, but it won't go away on it's own. You will have to take steps to make it go away. It is important to follow the below steps to overcome this neck strain.
When you experience whiplash, your neck muscles crack in a whiplike motion, thus causing them to extend beyond their normal range of motion. There is a high probability that when your neck comes to a rest your top two vertebrae, the Atlas and Axis, will be out of alignment. This misalignment can lead to further complications including migraines, vertigo, carpal tunnel, TMJ, multiple sclerosis, and more.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
Healing vs. Medicating Your Pain There's good news! You don't need to live with the pain of Sciatica. You can take medication, but that will only cover the symptoms and won't focus on the core issue. That may help you feel better in the short term, but your pain will come back and more permanent problems may follow.
It's important an upper cervical specialist evaluate your condition, so they can work with you to help you live a healthier life. That means it's also important for you to partner with your NUCCA chiropractor to help you regain full mobility.
We listed some exercises you can do at home, which may help. Though, please note, that it is important that you consult with your upper cervical / NUCCA specialist before you do any of these exercises:
All three of these stretches should be held for 30 seconds and then you should return your legs to a resting position, Make sure to do three sets, once a day. These exercises will warm up your muscles and minimize the pain caused by your Sciatica. Stretching also increases your range of motion, lubricates your joints, and delivers nutrients and oxygen to your muscles.
There are other exercises you can do to reduce Sciatica pain. Though, it is important to consult an upper cervical specialist, so they can place you on a plan for your Sciatica.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
Compression or Irritation of the Sciatic NerveIf you suffer from Sciatica, it's either because your sciatic nerve or one of the five nerve roots that run from your sciatic nerve to your spine are being compressed or irritated. You can take medication to alleviate the pain, but medication only covers the symptoms and prolongs the problem.
Though, you don't just want to cover the symptoms, you want to address the underlying cause. That's why it's important to know what is causing the compression or irritation to your sciatic nerve or those nerve roots. Here are some common things that might be the cause.
Though, what causes your sciatica is not limited to the above. It may be due to anything, such as a tumor or trauma to the spine, that causes compression or irritation to your sciatic nerve.
Rather than looking for temporary solutions by learning to live with the pain or taking medication that will only cover the symptoms, it's important to seek out the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They can examine you, determine the root cause of your sciatica, and set you on a plan to help you achieve your health goals.
Head and neck injuries can surprisingly start the process of sciatica. When you suffer an injury to your head or neck due to car accidents, falls, sports injuries etc. the position of your heavy head can be altered. This tilting can lead to compensations throughout the rest of your spine and the rest of your body. These compensations can lead to abnormal stress on discs, bones, muscles and nerves. To determine the root cause of your sciatica is important to have a thorough evaluation of your entire spinal column including x-rays from a doctor who is capable of restoring proper alignment to your entire spinal column thereby taking stress and pressure off of the sciatic nerve.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/
So, Thanksgiving is over and the holiday season is in full swing. That means you have plenty of Christmas shopping to do, and with it plenty of heavy items to lift. We want you to have the most pain-free holiday season you can have, so we thought we would share some tips with you on how to make it through this holiday season pain free.
The “Holiday rush” happens every year, but that doesn't mean you need to be in a rush. Luckily, the worst of it (Black Friday) is over. But that doesn't mean there won't be more mad rushes to get that last toy. Here are some shopping suggestions, if you have several people to shop for.
Along with trying to get that last Christmas present for your child or trying to beat those lines, you will need to do a lot of driving to different stores, holiday parts, and other events. You will be tempted to beat the traffic, get to that parking space before the other driver, or just drive a tad faster than usual.
Not only will you be tempted to bend, stoop, stretch, or twist in order to get to that toy, but you will also be tempted to set all of those items on the floor and just wrap them. Your body is not only meant to only sustain so much weight, it is also only meant to turn and twist so far in certain directions.
This holiday season will be full of chances to come out of it with a bad back, soar neck, headaches or migraines, or other types of pain. But the above tips will help you prevent injuries, but they won't guarantee you won't be injured.
So, whether you feel pain or not, after the holiday season, take the time to take care of yourself and seek the care of an upper cervical chiropractor. They will examine your spine to see if there are any misalignments that are leading to or might lead to injuries. Don't wait until the pain appears or worsens.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
In the June 2011 edition of the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research. Dr. Nimira Alibhoy DC presents the case of a 45-year-old female with a history of two major head traumas and 10 car accidents leading to complaints of an 11 year history of fibromyalgia. The history from the study is quite remarkable:
The patient was a 45-year-old female with Fibromyalgia. Symptoms included migraine headaches, chronic pain in the neck, upper and lower back, numbness in fingers, sciatica, right knee pain, depression, and duodenal ulcer.
She sustained a traumatic injury from diving head first into a shallow pool at the age of 15. The patient was then in 10 car accidents over 25 years.
She was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia by her medical doctor. Five years after the diagnosis, she had another traumatic head injury, when she fell head first down a flight of stairs. This increased her sciatica, neck, and back pain.
The patient had been to five general chiropractors over 12 years, who provided temporary relief of her Fibromyalgia symptoms. She was in chronic pain and suffered from depression. She was given Vicodin, Flexeril, or Soma at different times for her pain and soft tissue injuries. Her activity levels were limited in that she could not use stairs, swim, or walk further than 20 feet. She used a wheelchair as it helped her complete her daily routine and limit her tiredness.
A history of head or neck trauma should always be investigated by an Upper Cervical Chiropractor trained in the detection and correction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex (A misalignment of the top bone in the neck). This misalignment causes brain stem dysfunction which can lead to all sorts of changes in the way that all the body systems work. Specifically important in patients diagnosed with Fibromyalgia is the brain stem connection to the immune system, circulatory system, respiratory system and digestive system. Along with the connection of the brain stem with the postural muscles up and down the spinal column.
Here is the results for the patient in the study who was able to get the proper upper cervical chiropractic care needed to correct the underlying Brain Stem Subluxation.
Within six months of the first upper cervical correction, the patient revealed that she no longer needed wheelchair assistance. At the first re-evaluation, she reported that her fibromyalgia and left leg sciatica had resolved. She was able to move and perform basic daily functions and sleep in any position. She was feeling more relaxed and had more energy throughout the day. She stated that the sciatica in her right leg improved by 60% and was no longer on any medications.
At second re-evaluation, she stated that her chronic back pain and headaches had resolved. She only continued to have minor right sciatica. By the fifth re-evaluation, 6 months into care, her knee tenderness had also resolved. Her sciatica on the right had 98% improvement. She stated she was able to perform house and yard work. She was also able to swim, walk distances, and stand for long periods of time without taking Tylenol or Advil. The only complaint she had at this point was right hip pain.
Have you been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia?
Do you have a history of head or neck traumas? Car Accidents? Falls? Other Head Injuries?
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
An injury to the neck caused by a sudden movement of the head, backward, forward, or sideways, is commonly referred to as "whiplash." While the term "whiplash" is most frequently used to describe auto accident injuries (in which a person is rear-ended, hit head-on, or hit from the side), whiplash can also frequently occur during ski accidents, bike accidents, falls, blows to the head, and other head/neck traumas.
THE MYTH: "If I don't have any symptoms right away, I'm O.K.".
THE TRUTH... After many auto and sport-related traumas, symptoms can be so slight at first, an individual may not realize he/she has been injured. Even if a person feels relatively normal after an accident, he/she should be thoroughly examined. Symptoms can be delayed for days, months, or even years.
COMMON SYMPTOMS: The following are symptoms that can occur following a head/neck injury (days to years later):
In many cases, more severe immune-related, neurological, pain, and disease conditions (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Susceptibility to Infection, ADHD, Seizures, Multiple Sclerosis) can result from head/neck injuries, sometimes occurring many years after the accident.
Two million people are exposed to whiplash injury (related to an auto accident) in the U.S. every year.
When the head is suddenly jerked back and forth or side-to-side beyond its normal limits, ligaments supporting the neck vertebrae can be sprained (over-stretched) or torn, forcing vertebrae out of their normal position.
In tests of low speed rear impact collisions, it was reported that the neck can be injured even in slow speeds accidents as low as 5 mph.
Most rear impact accidents occur at crash speeds of 6 to 12 mph - speeds below the threshold for property damage to the vehicle - but sufficient to cause neck injury.
Whiplash injuries to the cervical spine can occur in sports (skiing, hockey, football, cycling, ice skating, gymnastics, boxing), due to falls, and more!
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
We only get one spine, so it's important that we take as good care of it as possible. Avoid these habits because they are the top 5 ways to damage your spine.
This is the one habit that is the most harmful to the health and function of our spine and our nervous system. When the head is turned to the side and then the weight of the body is placed upon it…the muscles, ligaments, tendons, joints, discs, nerves, etc. are compressed. The application of this stress of stomach sleeping will lead to an acceleration of degeneration of the discs and joints. Some of the worst degenerative disc disease that I have seen in the spine is in those that have spent their life sleeping on their belly. We spend a third of our lives sleeping!
So if you shouldn’t sleep on your stomach…how should you sleep? Flat on your back is best. Some people will find that placing a pillow underneath the knees will be more comfortable. You should always sleep with only one pillow under your head though so the neck is in a relaxed position. If you are unable to sleep on your back then the next best option is on your side. When you are sleeping on your side, you want to make sure that your head and neck are in as an aligned position as possible. You should only use one pillow that is thick enough to support between your shoulder and your head. Most people have a pillow that is too thin to sleep on your side…so there head is side bent all night. The most vulnerable position for the neck to be in is side bent or extended.
This habit, which can feel good at the time will lead to hypermobility in the joints and more and more instability over time as this habit has a tendency to make you want to do it more and more. This is a sign that your spine is probably extremely misaligned and should be evaluated asap.
Here is that vulnerable position again. A side bent head is much more likely to cause a misalignment, especially when kept in this position for 30, 60 minutes or longer why you watch TV.
The longer you sit the more your posture begins to breakdown. If you are sitting for a few minutes it is much easier to keep a good posture. When you sit for hours the chances that your posture is breaking down is very high. So tip #1 is to sit as little as possible. If you can stand to do a task then do it. A least once per hour you want to get out of your chair and walk around and change the posture that you are in…something that helps you to remember to do this is to drink lots of water…which is tip #2. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day…preferrably more. A good rule of thumb is to only drink water and drink about 1/2 of your body weight in ounces per day. So if you weigh 150 pounds then you should drink 75 ounces of water per day. The more you weigh the more you need to drink to be healthy. So if you are drinking water all day then you will need to get up and go to the bathroom which will greatly benefit your spine as well…it’s a win-win. The third tip is to change positions as much as possible when you are sitting. Change the angle of your chair, the height of your chair, move things around throughout the day. Your body gets bored sitting in the same position all the time!
The less we exercise the more the joints of the spine begin to stiffen and deteriorate. So move around! Our bodies were made to move! The best exercise is the one that you will do consistently. Fast walking, swimming, elliptical etc. Pick a cardiovascular exercise and get going.
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
Maybe you know someone with arthritis in their hands or even their knees. But arthritis in their spine – now that might be a new one on you!
Arthritis of the spine is known by several names, including osteoarthritis, degenerative joint or disc disease and subluxation degeneration. It is actually quite common - but do you know what it is or what causes it?
This is how it starts – after all – we’re talking about degeneration, which by the very nature of its definition means a process of deteriorating over time. In fact, the first phase of subluxation degeneration can take 20 years to develop!
One of your spinal joints experiences some sort of trauma, such as auto accidents or whiplash injuries. As a result of this entry, your body tries to stabilize the joint by splinting together the bones that make up the joint. It does this by moving calcium into the area of the inflamed joint; the calcium is what actually causes the splint to develop. As the calcium deposits built up, abnormal bone growth results. Subluxation degeneration eventually takes its toll on your body’s health, leading to other conditions.
Maintaining proper joint alignment and movement is essential to prevent subluxation degeneration. It is best to have an upper cervical chiropractic examination as soon as possible after any type of spinal trauma to reduce your risk of doing damage to your spine.
Keep in mind that trauma to the spine may occur during the birth process or during any of the “tumble and fall” years of early childhood and adolescence – right on up through the early adult years. In fact, it can take 40 – 60 years for full spinal degeneration to set in – that’s a long time to go without care for a vertebral subluxation that may have occurred when you fell off the bed at the age of two!
Remember that upper cervical chiropractors are uniquely qualified to detect any type of degenerative change in the spine. The earlier it is detected, the better chance you have for total correction, protection against further damage and a real opportunity to experience what true health is all about!
Upper Cervical Chiropractic can help to improve joint alignment and function and remember, we can also advise you on the best exercise to do to help relieve pain and keep the condition from progressing.
Tell a Friend about Upper Cervical Chiropractic Today!!!
To find a Doctor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or if you are in the Redwood City California area to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click the button below:
Want to hear from people like you? Check out our reviews here.
Dr. Pete Tsiglieris of Advanced Spinal Care in Redwood City, California is an Upper Cervical Specialist trained by the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). His upper cervical clinic also serves San Mateo, Palo Alto, Menlo Park, San Carlos, and Sunnyvale. They are uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines and other headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck pain, back pain and shoulder pain and weakness. More information can be found on our website at https://bayareanuccacare.com/.
