Common Conditions
Sciatica nerve pain and numbness
Neuropathic (nerve pain) affects 1 in 20 Australians.
It is extremely uncomfortable and most of the time is due to a mechanical issue such as pressure on a nerve due to tight muscles, swelling from joints/disc conditions which could arise from and injury or accumulated effects of bad posture. Please note that certain types of nerve pain in hands, feet and other parts of the body depending on their presentation can also be due to high levels of stress, anxiety, vit B12 deficiency and more.
Chiropractors are trained to use various orthopedic, neurological and other clinical tests to best evaluate if the numbness felt could be due to impingement of a nerve around the spinal segments, within a tight muscle or somewhere else. This would dictate the correct treatment technique and frequency. For example, nerve pain in particular fingers/toes, can be traced to parts of the spine whereas sciatic type of pain/numbness down the back of the leg may be getting pinched in the pelvis or deep within the gluteal muscles. Generally, neuralgic pain does not respond well to anti inflammatories especially if the nature of the issue involves compression against the nerve. Treatments provided by Dr Raffi involve gentle mobilisations, stretches but most importantly unique chiropractic adjustments to directly remove pressure off the nerves whilst improving posture, to get you on the path to healing.
Sciatica and other nerve conditions can be avoided by making sure your workstation is ergonomically correct, always standing/sitting and lying in good posture, lifting with the back straight while holding objects close to the body, avoiding sitting for long periods of time and strengthening spinal muscles and core muscles.
Another culprit which is worth mentioning especially for nerve pain in arms and shoulders is the effect mobile technology has on our neck.Prolonged bad posture for many can cause weakening and tightening of muscles around our neck and shoulders which over a long period of time can create tension around the spine and potentially cause neuropathic discomfort. If you are reading this on your phone….lift up your phone to eye level keeping your ears over your shoulders.
