Skip to content

Understanding Back Pain and Sciatica: A Chiropractor's Perspective

Female chiro hands on mans backMillions of Americans experience back pain each year, making it one of the most common reasons why people seek chiropractic care. However, when that pain radiates down the leg, it could indicate sciatica. But how do you know for sure what you’re dealing with? When it comes to distinguishing between regular back pain and sciatica, professional evaluation is crucial.

As Dr. Nancy Swenson explains, “Most people think sciatica is something that it’s not, so leaving it to a professional that’s been highly trained to know the anatomy and know the neurology and know when it’s being interfered with is their best source of recourse to find out what’s going on and what can be done about it.”

Surprising Causes of Back Pain

Not all back pain comes from major injuries. Day-to-day stress, poor posture, and even emotional or chemical stress can build up over time, causing what chiropractors call “neurological blockages or subluxations.” Additionally, toxins in food, water, and air, as well as prolonged sitting or texting, can silently contribute to these blockages. As Dr. Nancy highlights, “Just getting stressed out has a physical response in our body,” showing how even non-physical factors can impact spinal health.

A Comprehensive Treatment Approach

Rather than just treating symptoms, which is just masking the problem, our chiropractors perform thorough evaluations, including:

  • Postural assessments
  • Orthopedic and neurological testing
  • Range of motion measurements
  • Muscle testing
  • X-rays when necessary
  • Specific nerve pathway analysis

This detailed approach allows our doctors to identify exactly which nerves are affected and develop targeted treatment plans that actually address the issue. The goal isn’t just pain relief but optimizing overall nervous system function. An optimally functioning nervous system can help you experience maximum overall health.

Warning Signs and the Importance of Proactive Care

Any type of symptom, whether it’s severe or mild, warrants immediate attention. It’s important to note that the nervous system operates largely without our awareness—about 90% of its function happens below our conscious perception.

When symptoms appear, it’s like the warning light on your car, indicating there’s a problem. The good news is that by being proactive about getting chiropractic care, you can prevent issues like pain or limited mobility from developing in the first place.

Success Beyond Back Pain

With over 30 years of practice, Dr. Nancy has witnessed remarkable outcomes across various conditions. “I get to treat people with numerous health issues, whether it’s a professional athlete or just a Little Leaguer, whether it’s somebody with low back pain or somebody with digestive issues, somebody that needs optimal health. There are so many different stories,” she shares.

Reach out today

Don’t wait until the warning light comes on in your body. Take a preventative approach to managing back pain and sciatica by booking an appointment at Live Well Chiropractic today.
CONTACT US

Add Your Comment (Get a Gravatar)

Your Name

*

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *.