Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing moderate to severe lower back pain and numbness, tingling, and loss of strength in the legs and feet. Generally, individuals only experience the pain and numbness in one leg. However, if the condition is advanced or severe, pain in both legs may be evident. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor in Brentwood for pain relief. Sciatica and the associated numbness does not heal on its own, and it will most likely get worse without any treatment.
Causes of Sciatica and Options for Lower Back Pain Relief
Sciatica can be caused by a number of ailments and injuries, including spinal stenosis of the vertebrae in the lower back, degeneration of the discs, herniated or bulging discs, and Spondylolisthesis. Aggravating factors include poor diet, lack of exercise, and being overweight. Thankfully, there is lower back pain relief in Brentwood via our chiropractor.
Lower back pain relief starts with a thorough physical examination by our chiropractor. He will determine the affected vertebrae, or where the sciatic nerve is being compressed or aggravated, and recommend several treatment options. Suggested treatment will likely include chiropractic adjustments and massage therapy.
Chiropractic Adjustments with Our Brentwood Chiropractor
Chiropractic adjustments can treat sciatic nerve pain and provide lower back pain relief. Our Brentwood chiropractor uses specific pressures at specific points to realign the spine, which can reduce nerve pain and lessen the need for pain medications. If your sciatic nerve pain is caused by a compressed disc, Dr. Uzelman may use chiropractic adjustments along with decompression or traction to increase the space between the vertebrae. This will take the pressure off the disc so that it slides back into place on its own. Once the disc retracts, nerve pain is significantly reduced.
For complete lower back pain relief in Brentwood, multiple chiropractic sessions will be needed. In the beginning, the adjustments provide pain relief and improve flexibility and function of the spine. The middle phase of treatment promotes healing, and the last phase provides maintenance and corrects minor misalignments before they become debilitating.
Massage Therapy in Brentwood
Lower back pain responds well to massage therapy, and it makes Dr. Uzelman’s adjustments more effective. Massage therapy relaxes the muscles and improves blood flow. This results in reduced pain and faster healing times.
In individuals with sciatica, massage therapy is recommended on a weekly basis. This is because the effects of massage are cumulative. The first session may only allow the massage therapist to work out prominent knots. During subsequent sessions, the massage therapist is able to completely remove muscles knots and loosen other tight areas.
If you need lower back pain relief in Brentwood, call our office at (615) 661-4101 to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor.