Pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder – however, sciatica is really a symptom of a disorder.

Caused by Nerve Compression
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body/ies), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on one’s back pocket wallet.

Proper Diagnosis
Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor’s first step is to determine what is causing the patient’s sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review the patient’s medical history, and a physical and neurological examination. Diagnostic testing includes an x-ray, MRI, CT scan and/or electrodiagnostic tests (nerve conduction velocity, electromyography). These examinations and tests help to detect possible contraindications to spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.

Treatment Approach
The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body’s potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free. The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient’s sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments – sometimes called manipulation.

1. Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.

2. Ultrasound is gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrates deep into tissues. Ultrasound increases circulation and helps to reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain.

3. TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists and other rehab professionals.

4. Adjustments (Spinal Manipulation) At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps to reduce nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.

In college and during their training, students of chiropractic learn many different adjustment techniques enabling them to treat several types of subluxations and disorders. Techniques vary from a swift high velocity thrust to those that combine minimal force and gentle pressure. Mastery of each technique is an art that requires great skill and precision. Spinal manipulation is the treatment that differentiates chiropractic care from other medical disciplines.

To prepare a patient for adjustment, the chiropractor may instruct the patient to sit up or lie down. It is not uncommon for the chiropractor to use a totally different adjustment technique during the patient’s subsequent visit. Treatment tables differ too. Some are stationary, flat padded tables and others are elaborate with electrically or manually operated head and foot rests.

Chiropractic’s Limitations
Sciatica can be caused by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic practice. If the Doctor of Chiropractic determines the patient’s disorder requires treatment by another type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another specialty. In some cases, the referring chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and co-manage the patient’s care with the specialist.

Maintaining a healthy and well-aligned spine is an important part of staying healthy. Chiropractic care at Wofford Chiropractic in Encinitas, provides reliable and holistic treatment for many ailments, all under the direct attention and care of Dr Wofford . “Encinitas Best” chiropractic doctor is specially trained to diagnose and treat headaches, migraines, back pain, neck pain, whiplash injuries, carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar disc herniation, sciatica and a number of other problems that you may be experiencing. Give our office a call today, to see how we may begin serving you.

Your Encinitas Chiropractor provides chiropractic treatment to patients from all over Encinitas and he looks forward to helping YOU.

If you are in pain, Dr Wofford can help you with many conditions, including:

	Ankle Sprain		Low Back Pain
	Arthritis		Neck Pain
	Auto Accidents		Pediatric
	Carpal Tunnel Syndrome		Plantar Fascitis
	Fibromyalgia		Sciatica
	Headaches		Shoulder Pain
	Jaw Pain		Sports Injuries

What Is Chiropractic Care?

Chiropractic is the largest drugless health care profession in the world. It is a system of health care that addresses one of the most serious forms of stress that the human body is subjected to – vertebral subluxation.

Vertebral …what?!

Vertebral Subluxation, though not the easiest word to say, in very simple terms, is a condition where there is a misalignment of one or more of the 24 vertebrae in the spinal column. This misalignment can affect many areas of your body, most notably, your nerves, organs, bones and muscles and can weaken a person’s overall health.

What Can I Expect When My Chiropractor Adjusts Me?

Many patients report a feeling of peace and relaxation after an adjustment. It often leads to increased energy and improved sleep. Sometimes symptoms begin to improve after the first adjustment. Often patients are unaware of these initial internal improvements, however.

Some patients experience discomfort such as soreness, headache, or fatigue after the first adjustment. This usually goes away within the next few adjustments made by the chiropractor. Often this discomfort is due to detoxification of the body after adjustments. As poisons exit the system they could cause headache, slight head cold, or even mild fever and lethargy.

Muscles may be sore, comparable to the soreness experienced after a hard workout at the gym. This is a temporary condition that goes away as the muscles gain strength and flexibility.

How Can A Chiropractor Help Me?

Your Encinitas chiropractor, Doctor Wofford , will first analyze the condition of your body and spine to identify any vertebral subluxations. He will then use a number of different, gentle spinal adjustment techniques to correct the problem. Your Encinitas Chiropractor will not just treat a symptom, but rather the cause of the symptom. When Dr  Wofford removes the nerve pressure and spinal distortion that is causing you pain, you will feel relief.

Millions of pain sufferers are turning to the natural, drugless, chiropractic approach to a healthier life. When spinal damage is identified and repaired, your body is then able to work better and heal itself.

Dr Wofford is a Preferred Provider for nearly every insurance carrier in the Encinitas area, including Anthem/Blue Cross. If you’re not sure if your insurance would cover your visits, we’d be happy to check on that for you.

Please give us a call or come in to our Encinitas chiropractic office. We are here to serve you and help you attain an improved and healthier body.

Dr. Wofford wants to be your Encinitas Chiropractor.