For the management of Back Pain and Pain Relief here at Central Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic we use the  latest Low Level Lasers which accelerate the recovery and healing process,  leading to a significant reduction in pain inflammation. A 5 star rating has been awarded to Low Level Laser Therapy, our laser section can be found listed under “Pain Relief”, please also view our  ”Low level Laser Testimonial Video”.

Complications of sciatica

Although people recover from sciatica, sciatica can potentially cause permanent nerve damage. Depending on what’s causing the nerve to be compressed, other complications may occur,

They included

• Loss of feeling, may affected one or both or legs.
• Loss of movement may affected one or both legs
• Loss of bowel or bladder function

Different Treatment of Sciatica Include;

Physical therapy for  disc injuries known as “Slipped” Prolapsed, Bulging or Herniated disc - can play a role in your recovery.  Once acute pain is reduced and range of movement improves a physiotherapist or Chiropractor can design a rehabilitation program to help prevent further injuries.

Rehabilitation includes exercises to help correct your posture, strengthen the muscles supporting your back and improve your flexibility. Physical therapy, exercises should be started as early as possible.

Prescription drugs most doctors may prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication along with a muscle relaxant. Narcotics also may be prescribed for short-term pain relief. Antidepressants and anticonvulsant drugs can be used in easing chronic pain. They may help by blocking pain messages to the brain or by enhancing the production of endorphins, the body’s natural pain-killers.

More invasive treatment

Epidural steroid injections. In some cases, doctors may inject a corticosteroid medication into the affected area. Corticosteroids mimic the effects of the hormones cortisone and hydrocortisone, which are made by the outer layer (cortex) of your adrenal glands; Corticosteroids suppress inflammation around the irritated nerve thus giving pain relief.

Their usefulness in treating sciatica remains a matter of debate. Some research has found that corticosteroids can provide short-term symptom relief, but that these medications aren’t a long-term solution. In addition, corticosteroids can have side effects, so the number of injections you can receive is limited usually no more than four per joint.

Surgery usually occurs when the compressed nerve causes significant weakness, bowel or bladder incontinence, (when this occurs seek medical advice urgently) or you have pain that gets progressively worse or does not improve.

Surgical options include lumbar laminectomy and microdiscectomy. In lumbar laminectomy with discectomy, surgeons remove a portion of a herniated disc that’s pressing on a nerve. most of the disc is left intact to preserve as much of the normal anatomy as possible. Sometimes a surgeon will perform this operation through a small incision while looking through a microscope (microdiscectomy).

Success rates of standard discectomy and microdiscectomy are about equal, but you may have less pain and recover more quickly with microdiscectomy. Discuss which option might be best for you with your doctor, and carefully weigh the potential benefits of surgery against the risks as surgery is not always successful.

(Always get a second opinion).

Prevention

Exercise regularly. This is the most important thing you can do for your overall health as well as for your back. Pay attention to your core muscles the muscles in your abdomen and lower back that are essential for proper posture and alignment. For cardiovascular benefits, try using a exercise bike or treadmill. Swimming is also recommended.

Maintain proper posture when you sit. A good chair should comfortably support your hips, and the seat should not press on the back of your thighs or knees. If the chair does not support the natural curve in your lower spine, place a rolled towel or pillow behind your back.

When working at a computer, adjust your chair so that your feet are flat on the floor and your arms rest on your desk or the chair’s arms, with your elbows bent at a right angle. Take frequent breaks every 20 minutes, even if it’s just to walk around your office a little stretching will also help.

Driving, before setting off adjust your seat to keep your knees and hips level, and move the seat forward to avoid over reaching for the pedals.

Consider using body mechanics. Being aware of how you stand and lift heavy objects and even how you sleep can go a long way toward keeping your back healthy. That’s because poor posture stresses your back, leading to fatigue and stress on joints and nerves. Always hold reading material at eye level instead of bending forward, and if you’re standing for long periods rest one foot on a raised object about the height of a foot stool.

Before you lift something heavy, decide where you’ll place it and how you’ll get it from A to B. Bend at your knees, not your back, so that your legs do the lifting. Carry objects close to your body at about waist level. If possible, set the object down on a surface between shoulder and knee height to avoid lifting objects over your head or bending over too far. Don’t twist at your waist. Instead turn by pivoting your feet.

Be careful moving heavy things when you become tired, Tiredness can cause you to move more awkwardly than normal. Heavy loads are the greatest risk to your spine, so know your limitations. Don’t attempt to lift something that is beyond your normal ability.

Try the following measures:

• Cold packs.  Initially, using cold packs may be able to reduce inflammation and relieve discomfort. Wrap an ice pack in a thin towel and apply to the painful areas for 15 to 20 minutes at least 7 times a daily.
• Stretching.  Stretching exercises for your low back can help you feel better and may help relieve nerve root compression. Avoid or sudden movements and twisting during the stretch and try to hold the stretch as long as possible. Around 40 seconds per stretch if possible
• Medications.  Pain killers (analgesics) fall into two categories those that reduce pain and inflammation and those that only treat pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, and acetaminophen (Tylenol,) will be helpful for sciatica.Although they provide real relief, both types of medication have a limit to how much pain they can reduce. If you have moderate to severe pain, exceeding the recommended dosage will not provide any additional benefits. In addition NSAIDs can cause side effects such as nausea, stomach bleeding or ulcers, and acetaminophen can cause liver problems.If you’re using these medications, you should talk to your GP so that you can be monitored for any arising problems. Periodically reassess whether you still need drug treatment or not. Exercise, stretching, massage and other none drug treatments can often provide the same benefits without side effects.
• Regular exercise.  It may seem counter-intuitive to exercise when you’re in pain, but regular exercise is one of the best ways to combat chronic discomfort. Exercise prompts your body to release endorphins chemicals that prevent pain signals from reaching your brain. Exercise in moderation.In the early stages of sciatica, swimming or other low-impact exercise such as an exercising bicycle will help you stay active without worsening your symptoms. Later, as you improve and the pain becomes less combining aerobic activity with strength training and core stability exercises that improve the strength of your back muscles can help limit the effects of degenerative changes in your spine.Start out slowly and progress to at least 45 minutes every day to prevent further injury, learn proper lifting techniques.

A stiff neck may be a symptom of one of these serious conditions when it:

• Develops rapidly

• Occurs along with other symptoms (including nausea or vomiting, fever, headache, sleepiness, confusion, irritability or a seizure).

Seek the advice of a doctor if it is the middle or back of the neck that is stiff and causes pain when you move the head backward or forward. You may be unable to move your chin towards your chest.

A stiff neck may be muscle related and caused through injury; however, to be on the safe side, if you are at all worried, please visit a doctor.

The Cranio-Sacral system has a faint pulse that can be felt throughout the body and chiropractors Coventry can monitor this pulse in certain points of the body to determine the exact point of an obstruction or some stress; something that is preventing the body from functioning as normal.

When this area has been discovered, the chiropractor can help the soft tissue to heal itself and help the body correct itself. Cranio-Sacral treatment can be combined with other therapies to help the body further.

Treatment

In a Cranio-Sacral treatment session the client remain clothed and lies on the examination table. The chiropractor will then use very light forces to manipulate certain areas. Slowly moving the limbs allows the tissues to unwind themselves. Key evaluation areas include the ankles, head, neck and lower back.

Cranio-Sacral treatment can be used to treat, among others:

• Headaches and migraines
• IBS and digestive problems
• Depression
• Back pain
• Problems and injuries with the brain, spinal cord and nervous system
• M.S. and M.E.
•  For further information in depth on Headaches go to top left corner under pain or conditions

Physiotherapists vs. Chiropractors Coventry

‘Physiotherapists versus chiropractors’ is not as confusing as some comparisons may be because the two are very different in terms of their function and methods. Generally speaking, in many cases, when an individual heads to a physiotherapist then the ailment has already been diagnosed and simply requires evaluation and treatment. However, a non-specific problem, such as back pain, may require a chiropractor for diagnosis and treatment.

Another issue in the ‘physiotherapists versus chiropractors’ debate is the nature of the treatment:

• Physiotherapists work in a hands-on way, meaning that they will massage and manipulate any problematic areas to encourage a full range of movement, which is why they are so often associated with the elderly.
• Chiropractors, on the other hand specialise in first solving the problem and then putting preventative measures in place to prevent it happening again. They tend to use complimentary therapies so their treatment range is far greater than that of a physiotherapist.

That is not to say that one solution is better than the other. In the ‘physiotherapists versus chiropractors’ argument, both sides have their uses and their strengths; one will prove more effective for one individual, but another person with a slightly different problem may benefit from the other option instead. This choice is completely up to you. If in doubt, have a consultation with both and then make up your mind, but the majority of the time, a chiropractor will be your best bet when it comes to both easing your pain now, and preventing it coming back at some stage in the future.