NUCCA Chiropractor for Leg Pain and Sciatica
People who experience chronic leg pain may be experiencing a condition known as sciatica. Sciatica is a condition characterized by compression, pinching, inflammation, or irritation of the sciatic nerves, which extend from the lower back down through the legs, resulting in leg pain.
The sciatic nerve is a bundle of nerves that branch off near the bottom of the spinal cord. There are two sciatic nerves, each running down each side of the body through the hip, buttock, and down the legs, ending just below the knee. From there, other nerves split off from the sciatic nerve, continuing down the lower leg to the foot and toes. Understanding the anatomy and function of the sciatic nerves is crucial in diagnosing and addressing sciatica-related leg pain.
Sciatica is a condition in which someone suffers from mild to severe pain along the pathways of nerves that connect to the sciatic nerve. There are several potential causes of sciatica, such as injuries, herniated discs, spinal stenosis, bone spurs on the spine, and osteoarthritis to name a few. Each of these causes results in compression or inflammation of the sciatic nerve, resulting in pain anywhere the sciatic nerves reach, including the lower back, hips, legs, and sometimes the feet and toes. Due to the nerve being compressed or pinched, sciatic pain can potentially be alleviated by addressing body imbalance and pelvic tilt, which can be corrected by upper cervical chiropractic care.
At NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, we specialize in NUCCA chiropractic upper cervical care to alleviate leg pain for those who suffer from sciatica in Chicago, Illinois. Our expertise in NUCCA chiropractic care focuses on realigning the head and neck spine to restore overall body balance to an unstressed, balanced position. Through precise and gentle adjustments, we can correct the upper cervical spine, potentially relieving pressure on the nerves that could be causing the symptoms of sciatica.
Sciatica Pain and Treatment
Sciatica is a common condition, with around 40 percent of the U.S. population experiencing leg-related pain at some point in their lives. Those affected by sciatica may experience the following symptoms:
• Pain: Pressure on the sciatic nerves can cause pain that feels like burning or electric shock-like pain shooting down the leg.
• Tingling: A sensation of tingling or “pins and needles” similar to when legs fall asleep.
• Numbness: A lack of feeling in your legs or lower back due to disrupted nerve signals reaching the brain.
• Muscle weakness: Muscle weakness is a severe symptom indicating impaired communication between the brain and the back/legs.
People who have mild sciatica symptoms may be able to manage them through self-treatment to reduce the pain by applying heat or ice, taking over-the-counter pain relievers, and performing stretching exercises. Medical doctors may also provide you with treatments like prescribed medications, muscle relaxers, and spinal injections for short-term relief. However, these approaches mainly focus on masking the symptoms rather than addressing the underlying issue.
Natural Holistic Approach: NUCCA Chiropractic
When your spine is out of alignment, it can compress or irritate the nerves branching from the central nervous system, disrupting the communication between your brain and the rest of your body. When the spinal misalignment affects the nerve where the sciatic nerve goes, it can lead to the symptoms of sciatica.
At NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago, we specialize in upper cervical adjustments that help relieve tension on the sciatic nerve, reducing the resulting pain. The upper cervical spine houses the central nervous system, and the atlas subluxation can impact the postural control center, causing posture imbalances that affect the alignment of the pelvis, which is the foundation to the body and lower back.
We will start by taking an X-ray to identify misalignment in the upper cervical spine and calculate the precise measurements needed to correct the head and neck. This results in restoring the overall body balance, including the pelvis. The adjustments are made gently by hand to help bring the back into better alignment and relieve pressure on the nerves feeding the sciatic nerve. Many people have found relief from sciatic pain after receiving upper cervical chiropractic care.
Call NUCCA Wellness Clinic of Chicago
If you are experiencing the symptoms of sciatica, we recommend seeking a proper evaluation with our NUCCA chiropractors. Our NUCCA specialists can help realign the upper cervical spine and relieve the pressure on the sciatic nerves that may be causing the pain.
You can call us at (224) 676-1920 or fill out a contact form on our website to set up an appointment at our Chicago, IL or Northwest Suburb location.
