Are you looking for sciatica relief in Orinda CA? Our Orinda Chiropractic & Laser Center clinic would be more than happy to help!
WHAT CAUSES SCIATICA IN ORINDA CA?
Spinal disc herniation-the majority of sciatic pain syndrome is caused by spinal disc herniation, a condition involving swelling of intervertebral discs that bulge and compress nerves.
Lumbar spinal stenosis-if the spinal canal narrows due to disease, bone spurs, herniated disc or aging, the resulting pressure on the spinal cord, sciatic nerve roots or cauda equina will produce sciatica symptoms.
Spondylolisthesis-if one or more of the 33 bones (vertebrae) comprising the spinal column slips forward too far, compression on nerves occurs that ultimately lead to sciatica. The severity of a spondylolisthesis condition is diagnosed in “grades”, with grade 1 being the least severe and grade 5 being the worst.
Other causes of sciatica include piriformis syndrome (pain involving a buttock muscle) and spinal tumors that impinge on the nerve roots. When severe back pain is accompanied by loss of bowel or bladder control and muscle weakness is extreme, a spinal tumor is generally suspected that may require invasive treatment.
HOW A CHIROPRACTOR DIAGNOSES SCIATICA
A chiropractor at Orinda Chiropractic Center will perform a complete physical examination and ask the patient questions about when sciatica pain started, where the pain is felt and if the pain worsens during specific activities.
Magnetic resonance imaging and computerized tomography imaging tests can also help a chiropractor accurately diagnose sciatica. Evaluating transmissions of electrical impulses through the sciatica and spinal nerves using evoked potential testing, nerve conduction velocity or electromyography are additional methods employed to detect sciatica.
TREATMENT OPTIONS
The goal of sciatica treatment is pain relief and enhanced mobility. Ibuprofen and other NSAID-type non-prescription medications can provide temporary pain relief but they do not address the root cause of sciatica.
Clinical evidence clearly shows that spinal manipulations performed by at our Orinda Chiropractic Center are highly effective for alleviating sciatica pain. We also offer cold light laser therapy (LLLT), a non-invasive procedure that administers healing light waves to tissues without producing uncomfortable thermal effects.
Do you have back and leg pain similar to symptoms of sciatica?