The Main Reasons to Visit a Chiropractor: Part 3 of 4

So far in our Chiropractic educational series, we have covered gut health, inflammation, sports injuries and injury prevention.  Through this ongoing discussion, we hope to highlight the many ways that Chiropractic Care helps to maintain the body’s overall health as well as maximizing its ability to recover and heal itself from injuries, strains, etc.  Neck and back pain can be caused by many different factors and a visit with a Chiropractor can help one to get a clearer picture of what is going on in their body, what is causing it, and what they can do about it.  There is no “one-size-fits-all” solution to back pain and although there are typical causes and solutions, each individual patient is unique in their needs.  In part three of our four-part educational series from McAndrew Chiropractic, we are focusing on sciatica.  

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain that starts in the lower back and radiates down down the back of the leg, potentially radiating as far as the bottom of the foot.  The sciatic nerve is the longest and widest nerve in the body that travels through and around the sacrum to reach down the back of each leg and into the feet.  For various reasons the spine and sacrum may become misaligned and can lead to compression of the sciatic nerve, resulting in what is known as sciatica.  Fortunately, there is a practice devoted to realignment of the spine: Chiropractic Care.  

Many of us work in such a way that requires sitting for prolonged periods of time.  Poor posture while sitting is a major contributor to misalignment of the spine. Hence, it is a good idea to be mindful of your posture as you go about your day.  A modern medical condition known as “wallet sciatica” or “credit card sciatica” is a result of sitting lop-sided with a thick wallet in the back pocket.  Although this may not seem like much of a slant, it is enough to cause misalignment in the vertebrae and may result in a compressed sciatic nerve root.  A herniated disc, or “slipped disc”, is another common cause of sciatica.  When a spinal disc is over-stressed, it herniates (bulges) and may result in a pinched sciatic nerve root.  A Chiropractic adjustment can help to realign the vertebrae and therefore alleviate compression of the nerve.  A Chiropractor may also prescribe specific exercises that will strengthen muscles and loosen up areas that are causing the issue.  

One of the most important factors in treating sciatica is a proper diagnosis, as the causes listed above are only a few of the more common reasons that a person may be experiencing the symptoms.  At McAndrew Chiropractic, a patient’s initial consult will include a visual postural analysis, range of motion testing, Tytron thermal scan, Foot Leveler 3D foot scan with reports, and health questionnaire to give the full picture and allow for a comprehensive treatment plan.  Dr. John is one of few Chiropractic Care providers in Fort Collins to hold an advanced certification in the Activator Method, in which a specialized low-pressure adjustment tool is used to accurately target points that need micro-adjustments.  Schedule your initial consultation today to find out how McAndrew Chiropractic can help set you straight on your path to wellness! 

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