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Sciatica Treatment in Huntsville




Sciatica Treatment in Huntsville, AL

While people commonly associate chiropractic care with pain directly in the spine, there are many types and locations of pain that our chiropractors can treat. One of these pains is sciatica. Sciatica is classically defined as any pain that radiates down the back of the leg. Sciatica describes a location of pain, not the origin or source of this pain. Sciatica can be caused by anything from a little muscle spasm to a herniated disc. This pain can often be so severe that simply walking becomes difficult. At Millar Chiropractic Clinics, we have years of experience providing residents of Huntsville, AL, and the surrounding areas with chiropractic care for sciatic nerve pain treatment. In fact we consider sciatica one of our areas of excellence along with 1) Low Back Pain. 2) Neck Pain. 3) Headaches & Migraines. 4) Joint Pain (shoulders, hips, knees, wrist, ankle and feet/toes. It's our bread and butter so to speak. 

What is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body, running down the entire length of the leg from the buttock to the toes. Connecting at the base of the spine, compression of this nerve from a herniated or bulging disc, stenosis, degenerative disc disease and other spinal issues can compression the sciatica nerve causing pain that can radiate down one or both legs. The pain may be limited to just the upper part of the leg, or run the entire length of the nerve to the toes. Agitation of the nerve could also create a burning sensation or a sensation of numbness. 

 Another cause of sciatica that is increasing in favor and investigation by our chiropractors is "chemical radiculitis" or "chemical sciatica." Sciatica or sciatic nerve pain rather than being caused by compression of the nerve root at the spine may in fact be caused by chemical inflammation or irritation of the nerve root. Research has confirmed for at least 30 years now that disc herniations, annular tears, bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, facet degeneration and even stenosis cause the release of the inflammatory molecule “tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF). This inflammation or irritation of the sciatic nerve can causes sciatica.

An entirely different cause of sciatica not having to do with the spine is when the piriformis muscle spasms causing sciatica. The piriformis muscle is a deep muscle in the buttocks. The sciatic nerve lies just under the piriformis muscle in approximately 90% of us. But in the other approximately 10% of us the sciatic nerve courses or goes through the piriformis muscle. Again the spasm or overuse of the piriformis muscle can be the root cause of sciatica. 

Finally we occasionally see sciatica caused by the local entrapment of the sciatic nerve either by fascia (the web like covering of muscles) or by ligaments, tendons and muscles themselves. The great sciatic nerve goes from the spine to the toes. There are many opportunities for local entrapment or compression along the way.    


Where to Start If I Have Sciatica? 

Your journey to fix your sciatica starts with YOU making a free-consultation appointment with one of our Millar Chiropractic - Huntsville AL Chiropractors.  Diagnosing you specific root cause requires a thorough history and examination including orthopedic test, neurological test, muscle testing, and even blood work. This type of examination can not be done by the Doctor from across the room. It requires hands on examination. You the patient will remain fully clothed while we examine your sciatica.

Can Chiropractic Treatment Help with Sciatica?

Yes. Our chiropractor treats sciatica without prescription medication or invasive surgery. Our chiropractor may use a combination of several treatments to provide you with the most effective possible sciatica treatment. 

Spinal Adjustments/Alignment

Restoring the spine’s natural alignment reduces lower back strain. This can also ease the pressure that is directly on the nerves. Adjustments can also cause the muscles to relax again reducing the sciatica.  

Spinal Decompression

If your sciatica is caused by herniated or bulging disc, degenerative disc disease, degenerative facet disease or stenosis then the key might just be non-surgical spinal decompression. With non-surgical spinal decompression we create a negative discal pressure in the disc (like a vacuum) and pull that disc off the nerve giving relief from sciatica. 

Laser Therapy

Our lasers have two wavelengths one treats pain the other inflammation. With sciatica the laser is wonderful in lessening the pain and inflammation especially from TNFa (tumor necrosis factor-alpha) as described above in "What is Sciatica" 

Hot/Cold Compresses

The temperature may be used to reduce inflammation in your lower back while also improving your circulation. Both of these will contribute to reduced pain and faster healing.

Complete Personal Rehabilitation - Stretches/Exercises

Select stretches can help with the natural decompression of the spine as well as improve the function of the muscles attached to the sciatic nerve. We use CPR - Custom Personal Rehabilitation to stabilize and take pressure off the sciatic nerve. 

Sciatica Treatment in Huntsville, AL

If you believe you are experiencing sciatica, the chiropractors at Millar Chiropractic - Huntsville AL are ready to assist you. For more information on sciatic nerve pain treatment or to schedule an appointment with our chiropractor, call us at (256) 539-2000.

Clinics

Millar Chiropractic -
Appointment Center

Millar Chiropractic - Huntsville
Millar Functional Medicine

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Local Phone: (256) 830-0000
Toll Free: 1-800 Go Chiro (1-800-462-4476)

Millar Chiropractic - Business Office

Millar Chiropractic - Huntsville AL and Millar Functional Medicine
Mailing Address: PO Box 21157
Huntsville, Alabama 35813
Physical Address: 2021 Clinton Ave West
Huntsville, Alabama 35805

Phone: (256) 519-3550

Email Us at [email protected]

Clinics

Millar Chiropractic-Huntsville AL

Dr. Joan Brown, DC
Dr. Greg Millar, DC CCEP
2021 Clinton Ave W, Ste A
Huntsville, AL 35805
(256) 539-2000

Office Hours

Monday through Friday
8:30 am - 12:30 pm | 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Clinics

Millar Functional Medicine

Dr. Greg Millar, DC CPFM
Dr. Bonnie Sims, ND M.Div.

2021 Clinton Ave W, Ste E

Huntsville, , AL 35805

Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday -
8:30 am - 12:00 pm | 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Clinics

American Spine & Rehab

Dr. Greg Millar, DC
2021 Clinton Ave West,
Huntsville, Alabama 35805
(256) 519-6800

Office Hours

Monday, Wednesday, Friday
8:00 am - 12:30 pm | 2:00 pm - 6:00 pm

Tuesday - Thursday
8:00 am - 12:30 pm