Signs of Herniated DiscsSometimes a person can feel tingling throughout their body that is so intense it might feel like their arm or leg is constantly asleep. Other times, that tingling sensation is so slight that a person may only feel it when they lightly press their thumb against one of their fingers and rub it. That tingling, whether it is drastic or slight, may be your body trying to tell you there's a herniated disc in your spine.
Along with the tingling, there are various other signs of what may also be referred to as a slipped disc
Now, we're sure you want to know exactly what is going on in your back, and why it's manifesting itself as tingling in part of your body. There are discs between each of your vertebra, which are a gel like substance that keep the bones from grinding against each other. Those discs can shift out of place, which is why this injury may also be called a slipped disc, causing pain, nerve irritation and other symptoms.
Various factors may cause that herniated disc to become inflamed and leave the person in excruciating pain. That pain may lead to temporary paralysis of the musculoskeletal structure, and other severe symptoms.
The most important first step when it comes to relieving pressure from a herniated disc is to get the normal balance restored to the spine. When more weight is being distributed to one side of your spine compared to the other it will frequently lead to more irritation of the discs, joints, nerves, muscles etc. and upper cervical chiropractor is uniquely trained in identifying misalignments between the head, neck and spine. These upper neck misalignments can frequently be the underlying cause of postural dysfunction, uneven weight distribution and chronic pain including herniated discs. It is critically important to have a thorough evaluation performed of your head, neck and lower spine including your pelvis to determine where the underlying issue is beginning and how best to address the pain from the herniated disc.
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/
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/
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/
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/.
Sciatica is an affliction characterized by pain that extends along the path of the sciatic nerve, which is the largest and longest nerve
in the body. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back, through the hip and buttock and down the leg where it separates into two branches at the knee.
Sciatica pain is felt along the sciatic nerve's path, deep in the buttock and traveling down the back of usually just one leg and sometimes to the foot. Sciatic pain can also be accompanied by a "pins and needles" feeling, numbness, as well as muscular weakness in the affected leg. In addition, at times the pain feels like an electric shock along the nerve. The pain can vary from a moderate ache to severe pain and is commonly felt when you're sitting, cough or sneeze and is often accompanied by lower back pain.
If your symptoms include severe pain and/or you lose bladder or bowel control, a numb feeling or weakened muscles, seek medical attention immediately.
Causes of sciatica include herniated disc, bone spurs, piriformis syndrome, lumbar spinal canal stenosis and spondylolisthesis. Sciatica can also be caused by tumors on the nerve roots or the spinal cord. Severe back pain that extends to the hips and feet, and causes muscle weakness or lack of bladder or bowel control can be the result of spinal tumors.
Injury to the spine and/or neck can also lead to sciatica. In addition, the stress and increased pressure from poor posture drastically increases the pressure on the neck and the discs of the lower back area, leading to neck injuries, herniations and bulges, basically affecting you head to tow because uneven posture can be specifically tied back to upper neck misalignments.
Upper cervical chiropractic care, can help the body recover from back and neck injuries, restoring spinal health and thereby addressing the underlying cause of the sciatica without the need of surgical intervention. The key to improving your chances of successful rehabilitation is seeking the help of an experienced chiropractor as soon as possible. Putting off treatment will make the recovery process take much longer, and may even cause the build up of scar tissue surrounding the injury. When your head is tilted off kilter and not appropriately balanced over your neck, the rest of the body ends up having to adapt to the position it's in, which can leads to out of balance posture, neck, back pain and even sciatica. A gentle and exact correction of the upper cervical area, putting it back in alignment is frequently all it takes to eliminate the added stress from the lower back and in many cases will help the body relieve the pressure it has been placing on the sciatic nerve, allowing the injured area to recover.
To learn more about this gentle and precise approach to spinal injuries and to find a doctor in your area go to www.upcspine.com 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/
Natural Sciatica ReliefSciatica is a painful condition that can result in numbness and tingling in the legs and sharp pains in the lower back, specifically near the hips. So how can upper cervical chiropractic help with sciatica if the back pain caused by the condition is focused in lower part of back? Consider the connection.
The entire spine is all connected. Thus, the area where the pain is presenting currently is not necessarily where the original problem was. For example, whiplash from a car accident could cause an injury to the top two vertebrae. This could affect a person's posture over time. As a result, the alignment of the entire spine could be thrown off resulting in an unequal weight distribution. Finally, it may result in sciatica.
Ultimately, a person could have problems all up and down their spine, while the initial injury in this case was to the upper part of the neck. Thus, to treat the real problem and not just the symptoms, the top two vertebrae need to be properly aligned. Then proper posture can be restored.
Thus, upper cervical chiropractic may be the best way to attain drug-free, natural relief if you are suffering with pain from sciatica. Be sure to visit a upper cervical chiropractic facility to determine if this is the best way to treat your condition. Though it may at first seem counter intuitive to align the upper spine when the pain is lower, this may be your best option.
To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or www.upcspine.com 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/
Sciatica is a disorder which causes a set of symptoms including pain in the derrière or leg that becomes worse when sitting, standing or squatting, also it can cause a burning or tingling “pins and needles” sensation in the leg, weakness, numbness, difficulty of motion in the foot or leg. The sciatic nerve runs from the spine through the buttocks, the tight and down the leg on both sides of the body. It is not abnormal for symptoms to manifest only on one side of the body.
Back pain and sciatica can be caused by disc problems in the back. Muscle trauma or injury is another cause for sciatica. Extra weight causes pressure on the lower back, so pregnancy and obesity are also common sciatica pain causes. In addition there are some spinal diseases such as swelling, arthritis and cancer that can cause the pain as well.
Most sciatica patients begin with NSAID’s such as Advil which help to bring down swelling and pain levels. Muscle relaxers and epidural steroid medicines are also used for anesthetic and swelling relief. In certain cases, surgery can be done, to fix a damaged disk or remove a tumor, for example. But many people are concerned about the side effects associated with drugs and surgery.
Seeking proper alignment through upper cervical chiropractic could be the answer to relieve your back pain and sciatica without drugs or surgery. The ultimate goal of upper cervical chiropractic care is to correct misalignments in the spine that may be leading to long standing postural problems.
So since upper cervical chiropractic focuses on alignment in the area of the upper spine, how does it help sciatica which is pain at the lower area of the spine? It helps because misalignment in the top of spine causes a shift that forces your body to compensate. Therefore, fixing misalignments at the top of the spine through upper cervical chiropractic, can help as your body begins to perform properly with no more over-correction for misalignments at the top of the spine. If you are interested in the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic for sciatica, begin by scheduling a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor in your area.
To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to www.NUCCA.org or www.upcspine.com or if you are in the Bay Area, to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.
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/
