Suffering With Sciatica? Try a Natural Approach!
By
Ken Freedman, DC
It can be so severe that sufferers have told me it feels like molten lava is flowing down their leg. Is sciatica pain stopping you from living an active life? Sciatica pain may come and go, but it usually does not simply “go away” without effective care. Sciatica occurs when there is compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve compression interferes with energy flow, disturbs muscle, joint and organ function, and can trigger a radiating or numbing pain sensation that travels along the length of the sciatic nerve. Pain may travel from the lower spine through the buttock and down the back of the leg.
Pain sensations can vary widely. Depending on the type of nerve interference, you may experience a radiating or numbing sensation, a mild ache or a sharp, burning pain. This pain may intensify when you cough or sneeze. Prolonged sitting can also intensify the pain. If you sit for long hours at work, for example, or spend significant time commuting in your car, you may find the pain especially intense at the end of a long work day. If this condition does not receive early attention, it can progress to the point where the pain can be excruciating and totally disabling.
As long as nerve interference persists, you will continue to experience flare-ups of pain. This is why medication and painkillers deliver limited relief. The pain doesn’t go away — they simply mask your ability to perceive the sciatica pain. Once the drugs wear off, your ability to feel the pain returns. Pain treatments with opiates are harmful and highly addictive. Pain is the body’s way of making you aware that something needs attention. It makes you rest, and prevents further damage. Masking the pain with medications is like cutting the wires to the alarm box without putting out the fire. It is more likely your condition will worsen and require more invasive and costly treatments.
Sciatica Care: Why My Approach is Different
My educational background, along with 37 years of experience helping sciatica patients, has enabled me to offer a unique treatment perspective. My approach is different from conventional medicine that often relies on medication to temporarily “mask” the symptoms of pain. Instead, I develop custom care programs to address underlying nerve interference. This drug-free, non-invasive care improves your body’s ability to heal itself naturally so you can return to living a healthy, active life more quickly with fewer flare-ups.
It is a scientific fact that the body functions best when the energy that travels over the nervous system is free of interference. This allows the body to heal better, move better and perform at its best mentally and physically. A misalignment in the spine can negatively affect the central nervous system’s ability to send and receive messages between the brain and the body’s organs. In fact, your sciatica pain could be a symptom of bigger health problems in your body. My primary approach is to detect, locate and correct nerve interference so the body can naturally heal itself. I have mastery in a variety of chiropractic adjusting techniques, from the traditional that accompanies a popping of the spinal joints, to those that involve absolutely no twisting, popping or cracking. Since the alignment of your feet, knees and hips affect the function of the sciatic nerve, I check them also. If they are out of alignment I adjust them to improve your results. In addition, I offer therapeutic, self-help exercises and stretches to rehabilitate the weakened spinal regions and improve strength.
In addition to chiropractic care, dietary modification and weight loss may also help. Did you know that every extra pound of fat on a person translates into four extra pounds of stress on the lower back? This increases strain on the joints and exacerbates nerve irritation. Proper alignment and lifestyle adjustments help to reduce the risk for future nerve interference, pain and health problems. Should the cause of your sciatica require medical attention, I will make a prompt referral to the appropriate medical provider.
Whether you have recently been diagnosed with sciatica pain or have struggled with this pain on and off for years, it is important to know that there are safe, effective alternatives to prescription painkillers. Schedule your appointment for a private consultation at no charge or obligation. Have a check-up to determine if chiropractic care is appropriate for you. My fees are very reasonable for the high quality of care I provide. We have day, evening and weekend hours available, accept all major credit cards, and most insurance if you qualify. Most importantly, if I can help you I’ll tell you—if not, I’ll tell you that, also.
My office, Freedman Chiropractic Center, LLC is located at Brier Hill Court D-6, East Brunswick, N.J. 08816, Telephone: 732-254-6011; web: www. FreedmanChiropracticCenter.com
