Back Pain/Sciatica Q & A

What Causes Back Pain?

Many different factors can contribute to back pain. Back pain can be grouped into categories which include:

• Mechanical- this involves a mechanical issue with the way the spine moves.

• Injuries- fractures and sprains to the bones and muscles in the back caused by trauma such as a fall or impact.

• Conditions and diseases- Scoliosis, different types of arthritis, spinal stenosis, osteoporosis, and ankylosing spondylitis can cause back pain and affect the muscles in the back or the spine. Conditions such as pregnancy and fibromyalgia can also cause back pain.

Emotional and stress related pain is also common in the back and neck areas.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a condition which causes pain in the lower extremities because the sciatic nerve is irritated. It is usually felt in the lower back and runs down behind the thigh and can progress to the knee. The condition can be caused by a herniated disc which is putting pressure on the nerve and can also be caused by irritation caused by the pressure from a nearby bone, tumor, or muscle in addition to infections in or around the lumbar spine. Injuries can also cause sciatica.

What Can Dr. Chad Do?

The purpose of chiropractic medicine is to help the body heal itself. The method used to treat sciatica or back pain will depend on the cause. Once the cause has been determined Dr. Chad may use one of many treatments which include:

• Ice/Cold Therapy- reduces inflammation.

• Ultrasound- gentle heat penetrates deep into tissue, increases circulation and reduces muscle spasms, cramping, stiffness, pain, and swelling.

• Adjustments- Frees restricted movement of spine and moves vertebrae to their proper position. This reduces irritation to the nerve which in turn reduces inflammation, pain, and muscle spasms.

• TENS- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation is used to reduce muscle spasms and pain.