El Paso Functional Medicine
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Low Back Pain and Sciatica

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Sciatica is commonly associated with low back pain, however, sciatica may also generally occur due to a variety of other health issues. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back, or lumbar spine, down the buttocks, hips, and thighs, into the legs, knees, and feet. The sciatic nerve is in charge of controlling many muscles in the legs and it also provides feeling to the skin of the majority of the lower extremities.  

Sciatica, also referred to as sciatic nerve pain, is not an injury or condition itself but rather a collection of well-known symptoms. Several healthcare professionals estimate that up to 80 percent of people may experience some form of back pain throughout their lifetime, including low back pain and sciatica. The purpose of the article below is to discuss the causes and symptoms of low back pain and sciatica as well as demonstrate the treatment approaches to improve health and wellness.  

 

Causes and Symptoms of Sciatica

 

The most common symptoms associated with sciatica include pain and discomfort along the length of the sciatic nerve, tingling sensations or “pins-and-needles” in the feet and toes as well as numbness. The painful symptoms may vary in severity and these may also often become aggravated by sitting for extended periods of time. Sciatica is common in a variety of health issues, however, an estimated 90 percent of cases are due to a herniated disc. Other common causes of sciatica include:  

 

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis or the narrowing of the spinal canal in the low back
  • Spondylolisthesis, a condition where a vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it
  • Spinal tumors, which may compress or impinge the sciatic nerve
  • Infection, which may ultimately affect the spine
  • Other causes like an injury to the lumbar spine or lower back
  • Cauda equina syndrome, a rare but serious condition which affects the nerves in the lower part of the spinal cord; it generally requires immediate medical attention, and
  • Pregnancy, which can affect approximately 50 to 80 percent of pregnant women.

 

Diagnosis and Treatment of Sciatica

 

If the sciatica symptoms are moderate and don’t last more than 4 to 8 weeks, it’s referred to as acute sciatica, and immediate medical attention isn’t generally required. As for chronic sciatica which does require immediate medical attention, a complete medical history may help speed up the diagnosis process. Shooting pain down the length of the leg with physical activities generally indicates sciatica. Imaging tests, such as an X-ray or MRI, may help determine the source of sciatica.  

 

Acute Sciatica Treatment

 

Most cases of acute sciatica can be treated utilizing a variety of self-care measures, which include:  

 

  • Over-the-counter painkillers, such as ibuprofen,
  • Stretches and exercises, such as walking
  • Hot or cold therapy. It is generally helpful to alternate between the two

 

Not all treatments are suitable for everybody; individuals may need to talk to their healthcare professional.  

 

Chronic Sciatica Treatment

 

Treatment for chronic sciatica generally involves a combination of self-care measures and medical treatment, including:  

 

  • physical therapy
  • chiropractic care
  • cognitive behavioral therapy or CBT

 

Surgery may be an option if symptoms have not improved with other treatment approaches. Surgical options include:  

 

  • Lumbar laminectomy or the widening of the spinal cord in the lower back to reduce pressure on the nerves.
  • Discectomy, the partial or entire removal of a herniated disc

 

Depending on the cause of sciatica, a surgeon will go over the risks and benefits of surgery and suggest the best option.  

 

Stretches and Exercises

 

As previously mentioned above, stretches and exercises can help improve sciatica symptoms. This allows patients to:  

 

  • Alleviate sciatica symptoms on their own
  • Reduce or prevent the use of drugs and/or medications
  • Find relief and comfort for sciatica symptoms during flare-ups

 

Sciatica, or sciatic nerve pain, is a collection of symptoms, rather than a single injury or condition, characterized by pain and discomfort, tingling sensations, and numbness anywhere along the length of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest nerve in the human body which extends from the lower back, down the buttocks, hips, and thighs, into the legs, knees, and feet. The compression or impingement of the sciatic nerve and irritation due to a herniated disc, among other health issues, can ultimately cause sciatica symptoms and low back pain. – Dr. Alex Jimenez D.C., C.C.S.T. Insight

 


 

Low Back Pain

 

 


 

The purpose of the article was to discuss and demonstrate the low back pain associated with sciatica. Sciatica is a collection of symptoms characterized by pain and discomfort, tingling sensation, and numbness. The scope of our information is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal and nervous health issues as well as functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. To further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez or contact us at 915-850-0900 .  

 

Curated by Dr. Alex Jimenez  

 


 

Additional Topic Discussion: Foot Orthotics

 

Low back pain and sciatica are common health issues which affect many individuals worldwide. However, did you know that chronic pain may be due to foot problems? Health issues originating in the foot may ultimately cause imbalances in the spine, such as poor posture, which can cause the well-known symptoms of low back pain and sciatica. Custom foot orthotics, individually designed with 3-arch support can help promote overall health and wellness by supporting and promoting good posture and correcting foot problems. Custom foot orthotics can ultimately help improve low back pain and sciatica.  

 

 


 

Formulas for Methylation Support

Xymogen Formulas - El Paso, TX

 

XYMOGEN’s Exclusive Professional Formulas are available through select licensed health care professionals. The internet sale and discounting of XYMOGEN formulas are strictly prohibited.

 

Proudly, Dr. Alexander Jimenez makes XYMOGEN formulas available only to patients under our care.

 

Please call our office in order for us to assign a doctor consultation for immediate access.

 

If you are a patient of Injury Medical & Chiropractic Clinic, you may inquire about XYMOGEN by calling 915-850-0900.

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For your convenience and review of the XYMOGEN products please review the following link.*XYMOGEN-Catalog-Download  

 

* All of the above XYMOGEN policies remain strictly in force.  

 


 

 

Post Disclaimer

Professional Scope of Practice *

The information herein on "Low Back Pain and Sciatica" is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional or licensed physician and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make healthcare decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified healthcare professional.

Blog Information & Scope Discussions

Our information scope is limited to Chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, contributing etiological viscerosomatic disturbances within clinical presentations, associated somatovisceral reflex clinical dynamics, subluxation complexes, sensitive health issues, and/or functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions.

We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from various disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and directly or indirectly support our clinical scope of practice.*

Our office has reasonably attempted to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.

We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to ask Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, or contact us at 915-850-0900.

We are here to help you and your family.

Blessings

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN*, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*

email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com

Licensed as a Doctor of Chiropractic (DC) in Texas & New Mexico*
Texas DC License # TX5807, New Mexico DC License # NM-DC2182

Licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN*) in Florida
Florida License RN License # RN9617241 (Control No. 3558029)
License Compact Status: Multi-State License: Authorized to Practice in 40 States*
Presently Matriculated: ICHS: MSN* FNP (Family Nurse Practitioner Program)

Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, RN* CIFM*, IFMCP*, ATN*, CCST
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