What is Sciatica / Pinched Nerve?

The sciatic nerve is a long, wide and branching nerve that travels from the low back into the buttocks then down to the feet. When this nerve or its roots becomes irritated or inflamed, pain, numbness and weakness may ensue along its course. This is commonly referred to as a “pinched nerve” though the degree to which the nerve is actually being pinched can vary. Sciatica isn’t a disorder, per se; rather, it is a set of symptoms. The symptoms include pain (generally pain radiating into the buttock, thigh, and calf), pins and needles/tingling and decreased muscle strength. Often the pain becomes worse with activities that increase pressure including coughing, sneezing and bearing down when going to the bathroom. Rarely bowel, bladder and sexual dysfunction are reported; this may be a sign of a medical emergency (cauda equine syndrome)-if you are currently experiencing any of these symptoms, a visit to your nearest emergency room is warranted. It is important to recognize and treat the cause of sciatica. The most common cause is disc herniation. Other common causes include piriformis syndrome (spasm of the pirifomis muscle puts pressure on the sciatic nerve), stenosis, pregnancy and bone spurs (osteophytes). Less common and more serious causes of sciatica include bone tumors, nerve tumors and infection.

From our perspective, back surgery is rarely necessary for the treatment of lower back pain. While no one ever really wants to go under the knife, you really don’t want to knives anywhere near your spine. While in certain cases back surgery is necessary and effective, many studies investigating spine surgery find that not only is the procedure not necessary, it often leaves patients in worse shape and more pain than before they went onto the operating table. In fact, multiple research articles indicate that back surgery often fails. Additionally, people who undergo back surgery often report increased pain, increased disability, inability to return to work, and increased dependency on pain medications.

What is Disc Herniation ?

The intervertebral disc is the connective tissue between the vertebrae (bones of the spinal column). The disc is composed of a nucleus pulposus which is surrounded by annular fibers. When the nuclear material breaks though the annulus, it is considered a bulge, protrusion, herniation or sequestration. A herniation can occur anywhere in the spine but they are most common in the lumbar region (low back). Many asymptomatic individuals have disc herniations that are evident on MRI; it is important to understand that pain generation is not necessarily from the disc herniation itself. Symptoms arise when the surrounding tissues (such as nerves and the spinal cord) are affected. Radiculopathy (commonly called sciatica when in the lumbar spine) is a diseased condition of the nerve root; a common cause of radiculopathy is disc herniation.

You’re Going to be a Mom!

This is an exciting time full of changes both emotionally and physically. The chiropractors at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic are dedicated to serving women throughout the course of their pregnancy. Pregnant patients may greatly benefit from the services offered at Lehigh Valley Chiropractic. Studies have shown that treatments rendered by chiropractors may enable patients to achieve pain relief during pregnancy without the use of medications. Remember that over the counter medications such as Aspirin and Ibuprofen are not recommended during pregnancy. The best ways to beat back pain in pregnancy are through improved posture, exercise and hands-on therapeutic techniques.

Chiropractic care during pregnancy is an extremely safe and effective way of managing low back pain and sciatic pain.

-Dr Bentson

Kids Get Back Pain Too…

Did you know that 50% of children and young adults under the age of 20 experience back pain and 15% suffer from chronic back pain? Although disorders of the spine are less common in children, the pediatric population is not immune to musculoskeletal pain. Many young people are involved in aggressive sporting activities that may increase their risk of injury. At Lehigh Valley Chiropractic, we treat the common causes of musculoskeletal pain with non-invasive and modified (depending on the patient’s size) techniques.

What is Myofascial Pain?

Myofascial Pain (aka Myofascial dysfunction) is caused by focal areas of hypersensitivity (trigger points) that develop in muscle tissue. Muscle pain may be caused by trauma, injury, poor posture, stress/anxiety (leading to high levels of muscle tension), overuse, or immobility. Myofascial pain can develop in any muscle, and pain may be felt in the jaw, neck, back, pelvis, upper extremity or lower extremity. Persistent myofascial pain may lead to weakness (due to muscle underuse), migraine, TMJ dysfunction and difficulty sleeping. Long term and wide-spread myofascial pain may develop into fibromyalgia in certain individuals.

What is Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction?

The Sacroiliac Joints (SIJ) are large joints at the bottom of the spine that connect the sacrum and ilium (pelvic bones).  Dysfunction of these joints commonly causes low back pain. The pain caused by dysfunction can range from mild to debilitating. Symptoms of SIJ dysfunction include low back and buttock pain which may radiate down the back of the thighs (but not generally below the knee). The pain is often described as sharp and stabbing and is generally worse with movement. The most common trigger for SIJ dysfunction is minor trauma (generally caused by bending or lifting). Due to ligament laxity caused by hormonal changes, pregnant women often suffer from this condition.

What is Facet Joint Dysfunction?

Facet joints are relatively tiny joints which join vertebrae and allow for motion of the spine. Joint dysfunction occurs when a joint becomes fixed and painful; this can happen anywhere in the spine (neck, midback, low back). Generally, you’ll experience reduced range of motion and pain in the region of the joint. Often, muscle spasm or guarding is also present. Additionally, specific pain referral patterns are often found. In certain individuals, joint dysfunction has a propensity to recur.

What is Lumbar Disc Derangement?

The intervertebral disc is the connective tissue between the vertebrae (bones of the spinal column). The disc is composed of a nucleus pulposus (gelatinous material at the center of the disc) which is surrounded by annular fibers. Lumbar Disc Derangement (otherwise known as discogenic pain) is a condition of the low back where the disc becomes painful. Lumbar Disc Derangement is thought to be caused by multiple small tears that develop in the disc; nuclear material seeps out into these tears and irritates the nerve endings in the outer portion of the disc.

What is Lumbar Spinal Stenosis?

The word stenosis is a term used by medical professionals to describe an abnormal narrowing. Spinal stenosis indicates there is an abnormal narrowing in the spine which may or may not be causing impingement on the spinal cord or your nerves and possibly low back pain. There are several reasons why this narrowing occurs, and the chiropractors at LVC will investigate the root cause. Although this condition is most commonly seen in older individuals, occasionally it occurs in young people.  If you have spinal stenosis, the symptoms you are most likely experiencing include low back pain and leg pain which generally get worse when walking and become improved when you sit or flex forward. If you extend your back, pain usually increases.