Sciatica Pain Treatment

Sciatica Pain Therapy in Covington and Hammond

Our Sciatica Pain Relief program was started ten years ago to give patients a holistic approach to treating their pain and, more importantly, a strategy that achieved results.

We utilize natural pain management techniques like spinal decompression, cold laser therapy, and custom orthotics to effectively treat the underlying cause of the sciatic nerve and lower back pain.

A woman with Sciatica Pain grips her lower back
All American Medical’s Sciatica Pain Relief Program is offered at our Covington and Hammond clinics.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is an inflammation of the longest nerve in the body—the sciatic nerve. It runs from the spinal cord across the buttock and hip area and down the back of each leg.

Sciatica and sciatic nerve pain are secondary symptoms and indications of a problem in the lumbar region of your back, which places pressure on the sciatic nerve.

Low Back Pain is a major symptom of Sciatica

Each year, sixty-five million Americans suffer from low back pain, and that ranks second only to migraines as the most frequent cause of pain. Eighty percent of adults will experience significant low back pain sometime during their lives. Second to the common cold, problems caused by sciatica and sciatica nerve pain are the most frequent cause of lost work days in adults under 45.

The lower lumbar area of the back is the most common site for back pain, as it bears the most weight and stress. Approximately 90 percent of our patients who experience sciatica and sciatica nerve pain and follow a conservative, non-surgical treatment plan can fully recover and live pain-free. 

How our Sciatica Pain Relief program works

All-American Medical’s Sciatica Pain Relief program is a multidisciplinary approach designed to alleviate the discomfort and limitations caused by sciatica. Our team of experienced healthcare professionals works together to develop a personalized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your sciatica pain, promoting long-term relief and improved quality of life.

Since there are a variety of causes of sciatica pain, we approach each patient on an individual basis: 

We discuss the severity of your Pain

The pain specialists at All American Medical will review your medical history, assess the start of your nerve pain, and ask about the location of your pain.

  • Is it in your lower back or buttocks, or does it radiate down one or both legs?
  • You will be asked to rate your pain and its frequency on a pain scale. He will also ask about any muscle weakness, tingling, or numbness in your legs.
  • Can you still work or participate in daily activities and go to work?
  • What have you done to this point to alleviate the pain?
  • Do certain activities make the pain better or worse?

We diagnose the cause of your Sciatica

Our doctors and medical team will then conduct a physical exam, observing your range of motion and physical well-being. We will examine your spine and look for any misalignment or muscle spasms. 

During the neurological exam, they will test your reflexes, muscle strength, and changes in nerve function.

We work with you to develop a Sciatica Treatment plan

Based on the severity of your pain and the diagnosed source of your sciatica, our spine specialists will develop a customized treatment plan to provide you relief. This may include physical therapy, massage, chiropractic adjustments, decompression therapy, hot/cold therapy, medication, or other treatments. 

The goal is to reduce your pain and restore normal nerve function.

What is the cost of the program?

Our Sciatica Pain Relief program accepts all major insurance and has payment plans for those without insurance coverage. We offer all new patients suffering from sciatic nerve pain or sciatica a free initial consultation ($149 value) with our medical staff.

What causes the Pain or numbness associated with Sciatica?

The pain is a direct result of compression on the nerve roots in the lower back. Sciatica can also be referred to as radiculopathy, the medical term used to describe pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the arms or legs caused by a nerve root problem.

This can be caused by one or more of the following:

Bulging or herniated disc

  • In a bulging disc, the gel-like center (nucleus pulposus) remains “contained” within the tire-like outer wall (annulus fibrosus) of the disc.
  • A herniated disc occurs when the nucleus breaks through the annulus fibrosus, causing a “non-contained” disc disorder.
  • Whether a disc bulges or herniates, disc material can press against an adjacent nerve root, compressing delicate nerve tissue and causing sciatica.

Piriformis syndrome

  • The piriformis muscle in the lower part of the spine connects to the thigh bone and assists in hip rotation.
  • Piriformis syndrome develops when spasms in the piriformis muscle compress the sciatic nerve, which runs beneath the muscle.

Bone spurs

  • Bone spurs are smooth structures that form over a prolonged period and are medically termed osteophytes.
  • They represent an enlargement of the typical bony structure and are a sign of spinal degeneration (aging), common in people over 60.

Lumbar spinal stenosis

  • Lumbar spinal stenosis is when the spinal canal (central stenosis) or one or more vertebral foramina (foraminal stenosis) narrows.

Spondylolisthesis

  • Spondylolisthesis is the forward displacement of a vertebra, especially the fifth lumbar vertebra, commonly occurring after a break or fracture.
  • Backward displacement is referred to as retrolisthesis.

Injury or trauma

  • External forces such as falls, auto accidents, and sports injuries are ways in which the sciatic nerve can become compressed.

Treatments included in our Sciatica Pain Relief program

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy includes both passive and active treatments. Passive treatments help to relax you and your body and prepare your body for therapeutic exercise and more active physical therapy treatments. Extensive research has shown that maintaining physical activity (without bending or twisting) is vital to a quick recovery.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy targets muscle tension that puts pressure on your sciatic nerve or related nerve roots. Massage’s direct pressure and friction release the tension in your soft tissues (ligaments, tendons, muscles). Massage therapy has also been shown to increase blood circulation and release endorphins (the body’s natural pain relievers).

Acupressure

Acupressure is a noninvasive, safe, and gentle therapy in which trigger points (very localized areas of muscle spasm) are targeted until the muscle tension subsides. For sciatic nerve pain, the trigger points often responsible for nerve irritation are located in the gluteus medius and minimus muscles and the gluteus maximus, piriformis, and lumbar paraspinal muscles.

Chiropractic Adjustments

Chiropractic adjustments and manual manipulation of the spine performed by licensed chiropractors realign the spine, correct problems resulting from the misalignment, and improve nerve transmission. 

Gentle touches of varying pressure reduce the nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle tremors, pain, and other symptoms associated with sciatica. This, in turn, helps to address a number of underlying conditions that can cause sciatic nerve pain.

Hot and Cold Therapy

Heat therapy promotes more blood flow to the target area, which increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients there. For example, a heat pack placed on the piriformis muscle may help reduce muscle spasms that antagonize sciatica.

Cold therapy slows circulation, helping to reduce inflammation, muscle spasms, and pain. Based on your improvement level, alternating hot and cold therapy is often implemented.

Spinal Decompression Therapy

Nonsurgical spinal decompression therapy is a form of motorized traction that gently stretches the spine. It is an alternative to surgical decompression. The therapy aims to alleviate pressure on the spinal disks and sciatic nerve root by changing the position and force of the spine. The negative pressure created by the decompression causes bulging or herniated disks to retract, which in turn takes pressure off the nerves and other structures in the spine. As a result, the spinal disks receive more water, oxygen, and vital fluids, promoting healing.

Strengthening & stretching exercises

Strengthening exercises are helpful in stabilizing the spinal column and the supporting muscles, ligaments, and tendons attached to it. These exercises primarily focus on the lower back, abdominal (stomach) muscles, gluteus (buttocks), and hip muscles. On the other hand, stretching exercises target the muscles that cause pain when tight and inflexible. One of the most important parts of a sciatica exercise program is hamstring stretching.

Is All American Medical’s Sciatica Pain Relief program right for you?

Our compassionate and knowledgeable pain treatment team at All-American Medical will thoroughly evaluate your condition, taking into account your medical history, current symptoms, and unique needs. We will then recommend a customized treatment plan incorporating the most effective therapies to help you find lasting relief from sciatica pain.

To make an appointment or inquire about our Sciatica Pain Relief program, please call our Covington clinic at (985) 893-2223 or our Hammond clinic at (985) 350-6110.

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