Low back pain and sciatica

We’ve all heard it before, somebody bends forward, either to brush their teeth or pick up a pencil and bam, there goes the back then a little while later…the leg as well! As chiropractors low back pain is one of the most common complaints we see, followed by what is generally know as sciatica.

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a broad based term which means pain in the sciatic nerve. There are many causes of this type of pain and possibly the most common is a disc prolapse. The discs are the cartilage like ‘jam donuts’ which are situated in between each of your spinal bones and are there for easy spinal movement and shock absorption. When too much pressure has been applied to a particular area of the disc, some of the disc material tears or bulges out. This then causes localised inflammation which then presses on the nerve root, and most commonly this nerve root will go on to form the sciatic nerve which supplies the muscles, joints and skin in your leg.

People tend to assume that because the pain surfaced after one particular movement, then that’s how long the problem has been there for. However that is a common misconception; disc’s bulge, due to repetitive faulty motion in the back over months or years. The mechanics around the area begin to de-stabilise until that area can’t take any more pressure. Then that final (often very simple) movement is the straw that breaks the camel’s back.

What about taking pain killers or muscle relaxants?

Pain killers and muscle relaxants can dull the pain, especially when the muscles around the affected area tighten up. However, these are not treating the actual problem. By not correcting the faulty mechanics or addressing the cause of the problem the actual spinal dysfunction remains. Ice is a great alternative to painkillers as it works locally on the area and has none of the unwanted side effects that many medications have.

Most disc and low back problems are easily corrected by chiropractic – by ensuring the local mechanics in the area are working properly the inflammation around the nerve root can be decreased relatively quickly. However, for the actual disc material to be heal back into the ‘jam donut’ takes a lot longer – anywhere between 6 months to 2 years.

It is important to realise that the main cause of low back and sciatica are lifestyle choices – the most common ones are poor posture especially when at a desk or doing a faulty movement pattern over a long period of time. These problems never happen suddenly. Therefore it is important to get a work place assessment or come to one of our health classes! Considering most people spend most of their lives at work nowadays it’s important to make sure that work place ergonomics are correct. Little changes here and there can make all the difference between being able to go to work or having to call in sick for a week because you’re back has ‘gone’. Regular spinal check-ups are also a great way to ensure that your spinal mechanics are working properly.

Why not take time to look at our Community page on our website

http://www.chiropractorsbrighton.co.uk/community.htm

and read more from our  Autumn 2008 Newsletter

http://www.chiropractorsbrighton.co.uk/newsletter/b2b_newsletter_autumn_08.pdf

Chiropractic can help to treat : back pain :: lower back pain : mid back pain : sciatica : hip pain : neck pain : shoulder pain : headaches : arm pain : trapped nerves : whiplash : rsi injuries : pregnancy related back pain : kids and baby checks : migraines :

Our Clinic has been established now for more than 24 years and is one of very few clinics in Brighton and Hove offering private treatment rooms for patients coupled with treatments offering additional services, such as acupuncture and massage at NO extra cost.

For that very extra special service and care please contact us today on 01273 206868

Back 2 Balance is open six days a week ::

Monday       9am to 8pm

Tuesday      9am to 8pm

Wednesday 9am to 8pm

Thursday     9am to 8pm

Friday          9am to 7pm

Saturday     10amto 2pm

Winners of the 2008-2010 PDQM Award from the College of Chiropractors, 2008 – the first Brighton and Hove Clinic to be awarded.  

Call   01273 206868  to make your appointment

Clinic Address  35 Goldstone Villas

                            Hove BN3 3RT

Email info@chiropractorsbrighton.co.uk

Web  http://www.chiropractorsbrighton.co.uk

Our patients visit us from all over Sussex :: Brighton :: Hove :: Hove Park :: Portslade :: Mile Oak :: Hangleton :: Shoreham-by-Sea :: Lancing :: Falmer :: Patcham :: Ovingdean :: Saltdean :: Roedean :: Rottingdean :: Patcham :: Kemp Town :: Bevendean ::