Monthly Archives: January 2013

Jan 30

Suffering Sciatica in Wexford, in need of treatment?

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by Yvonne Gallagher D.C MSc Chiropractic

 If you have suffered with Low back pain or Sciatica you are certainly not alone. Most people in their lifetime will suffer at least one episode of low back pain but unfortunately for most this is not a solitary experience. A person can experience multiple episodes of low back pain- hoping each time it will just go away.

A condition called Sciatica occurs when the low back pain does not just localise in the low back but also runs down the leg along the course of the sciatic nerve.  Here at Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic we aim to prevent the unneccessary steps often taken and provide a comprehensive solution focusing on treating the root cause of the problem. Since our establishment in Gorey in 2005 we have treated over 4000 clients from Arklow, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Wicklow and  Carlow, many of those  requiring treatment for low back pain and or sciatica. So let’s examine this difficult condition….

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to a pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve- the sciatic nerve being the longest nerve in the body which branches from the lower back into the hip and buttocks and travels down the back of your leg to the toes. Typically Sciatica affects only one side of the body.

There are many causes of Sciatica but most commonly Sciatica occurs when tissue of the spine compresses or irritates part of the nerve for instance a prolapsing disc or a bony spur. This causes inflammation, pain, sometimes accompanied by numbness or pins and needles in the affected leg with occasionally weakness of the affected  leg also present.

Although the pain associated with Sciatica can be severe, most cases resolve well with conservative care (for instance Chiropractic treatment, anti inflammatories, modification of activities). Surgery is only recommended as a last resort for cases where there has been a failure to recover after  conservative care measures have been administered or if the spinal injury is very severe.

Sciatica Symptoms

Pain which radiates from your lower back to the buttocks and down the back of your leg is the most familiar and common symptoms of sciatica.  You may feel discomfort anywhere along the nerve pathway but it is most likely to present in the low back, buttocks and the back of your thigh and calf.

Often clients presenting to Gorey Family Chiropractic that have experienced sciatica describe a tightness in the leg and throbbing sensation in the calf and these types of symptoms can mislead them from thinking they have an issue with the back.
The pain can vary widely from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort.  Often people experiencing sciatica can feel an electric shock sensations.  It may be worse when you cough or sneeze and prolonged sitting can aggravate symptoms.

Causes of Sciatica

•    Herniated discs
•    Spinal stenosis
•    Piriformis syndrome
•    Trauma
•    Lifestyle factors
•    Bony spurs
•    Spondylothesis

Risk factors for Sciatica

Occupation:  A job which requires you to twist your back, carry heavy loads or drive for long periods can increase the likelihood of the  development of sciatica.

Prolonged sitting:  People who sit for long periods of time or have a sedentary lifestyle are more likely to develop sciatica than active people.
Obesity:  Excess weight increases the stress on your spine and contributes to the spinal changes such as bony spurs which can cause sciatica. The lack of fitness of the core muscles is also contributory.
Age:   Age related changes in the spine such as degenerated discs and bony spurs can predispose individuals to the development of sciatica if they injure the spine.

Prevention of Sciatica

Strong Core:
Keeping the core muscles strong reduces the risk of herniated/prolapsed discs, a common cause of sciatica.  A strong core is needed to maintain proper posture, which takes stress of the spinal joints and discs.

Exercise:
Low impact aerobic exercises are also recommended as they help increase the endurance of the core muscles.  Walking, swimming and using a bike are examples of good low impact exercises.

Stretching:
Stretching on a daily basis is very important particularly stretches which promote flexibility between the vertebrae improving the elasticity of the spine reducing the incidence of simple back strains/ sprains or more complicated injuries involving the disc or nerve roots.

Posture:
Adequate support is required to prevent slouching, which places excessive stress on the lower  back.  A straight line should exist between the ear, shoulder, elbow and hip whilst sitting thereby creating good alignment and reducing postural strain on the spine which contributes to back or neck pain.

A good supportive mattress is also important. Mattresses that are too hard or too soft do not offer appropriate support to the back. Consider choosing a medium firmness pocket sprung orthopaedic mattress.

Avoid prolonged sitting or standing, which again can increase the stress  and strain on the lower back particularly if you are employed in an occupation which requires this day to day. Try to move and stretch periodically.

What do you do if your Sciatic Nerve Flares up?

  •  Try to keep mobile- bed rest is not advisable
  •  Use an ice pack on the lower back for 20 minutes to reduce inflammation and repeat every 1-2 hours
  •   Do not use heat on the area
  • Anti inflammatories, painkillers and muscle relaxants are often recommended to help ease the pain but should not be used to mask symptoms on an ongoing basis.
  •  If the pain persists seek professional advice from your local Chiropractic Association of Ireland Chiropractor

How to Find Relief from Sciatica?

Sciatica can be extremely painful and debilitating and should the symptoms fail to ease, guidance from a trained healthcare professional with experience in the diagnosis and management of Sciatica is advisable.

Here at Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic we offer diagnosis of the causes of sciatica with onsite x ray facilities available and provide treatment for low back pain and Sciatica as well as offering lifestyle and ergonomics advice and exercise rehabilitation. Should MRI be clinically necessary we can refer patients directly.

We strive to correct the root of the problem and aim to improve the flexibility and  the stability of the spine.  We will encourage a rehabilitation programme if appropriate as we are committed to decreasing the likelihood of future episodes of low back pain and sciatica.

Many of our clients we have seen  from the Gorey, Arklow, Wexford, Wicklow and  Carlow areas have come to our chiropractors at Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic as a last resort having found that their medication or procedures had not worked for them, sometimes in the short and sometimes in the longer term.

We Look Forward to Helping You..

We realise it can be confusing knowing where to choose for your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires low back pain or sciatica treatment, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services at Gorey Family Chiropractic and look forward to helping you in the future.

If you are suffering from low back pain or sciatica and are based around Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, Arklow, Wicklow or Carlow it may be time to be professionally evaluated .  Why not call Gorey Family Chiropractic today to make an initial consultation appointment.

For your convenience all of our Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

Tel: 053 94 83338   or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie    

Jan 18

Do Chiropractors help Patients with Headaches?

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By Dr. Michael Veal BSc (HONS) D.C. CCEP

Well for people who have successfully seen chiropractors for treatment this is an easy question to answer. The answer of course being YES!!! However, there are many people in the local areas of Gorey Arklow and Wexford who suffer from Headaches who have never heard of Chiropractors or never had Chiropractic explained to them properly, so have never realised the overwhelming benefit Chiropractic treatment can have for headache sufferers.

At Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic, we have seen many patients over the years suffering from headaches particularly  and the most common thing we hear after Chiropractic  treatment for headaches is that they wished they had treatment years ago or that they wished they knew a link existed between poor function of their neck and their headaches. So if you’re sitting reading this and are suffering from headaches, let’s go through the causes and treatment of the most common types of headaches and what the options are for treatment outside of your pain medication.

1.)    Tension Headaches (Also known as Stress Headaches or Cervicogenic headaches)
This is the most common type of headache, with an estimated 80% related to stress. This can be due to both physical (poor posture, joint dysfunction in your neck etc) or psychological (work deadlines, stress etc).

Several of the nerves that exit the highest proportion of the neck loop back to travel over the top of the head to the forehead. These nerves pass through a triangle of muscles below the skull called the sub-occipital triangle.  (see below)

If the muscles become irritated (i.e. due to physical or psychological stress) they tighten, squeezing the nerves passing through the triangle. This can create pain in the base of the skull, temples, forehead, bridge of the nose or behind the eyes. It can also be accompanied by tightness and pain in the upper part of the neck and is also often noticed in the muscles at the base of the neck towards the back of your shoulders.

Evidence based research has demonstrated clear benefits between chiropractic care and this form of headache. This is through addressing the underlying issues that cause the headache i.e the joint stiffness, muscular tightness, muscular imbalances, postural problems.

2.)    Sinus Headaches

When a sinus becomes infected, inflamed and congested it usually causes pain. There can also be fever related to the condition. The sinus headache is usually worse when waking in the morning because mucous has been collecting and draining while you were laying down. It’s also worse when you go from a warm house out into the cold, or when you bend over or lie down.

These type of headaches can be treated by your General Practitioner with antibiotics, as well as antihistamines or decongestants. But if that doesn’t work in the long term, it may be worthwhile being assessed by your local Chiropractor to evaluate whether other underlying spinal factors could be contributing and making your headaches worse.  Should this not be the case a referral can then be recommended to an appropriate specialist.

3.)  Migraine Headaches

Chiropractic care has long been shown to be a very safe and effective form of treatment for Migraine headaches. Migraines can be caused by a number of trigger factors e.g diet but links have always existed between migraines and poor function of the neck.

Exciting research by dental researchers recently came to a very interesting conclusion for the onset of Migraines.  The researchers found a small ligament that connected the upper most vertebra (the Atlas) of the spine to the outer layer of the spinal cord (the dura mater). It was theorized that abnormal position or motion of the Atlas bone would likely place tension on the spinal cord altering the cerebro-spinal fluid pressure in the brain.
Thankfully, Chiropractic treatment of the spinal joints has been shown to restore proper joint motion and position and this often provides relief and improved quality of life for migraine headache sufferers.

Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic: Supporting your Recovery

We realise it can be confusing knowing where to choose for your healthcare services. If you, a friend or family member requires care for  headaches, neck or back pain, we sincerely appreciate the trust and confidence shown by choosing our services at Gorey Family Chiropractic and look forward to helping you in the future.

If you are suffering from any of the types of headaches mentioned and are based around Gorey, Wexford, Arklow or Carlow it may be time to be checked.  Why not call Gorey Family Chiropractic today to make an initial consultation appointment.

For your convenience all of our clinical team are registered with VHI, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers.

Opening hours Mon 8-7, Tues 9-5, Wed 8-7, Thurs 9-5, Frid 8-7

Tel: 053 94 83338   or alternatively email info@chiropractor.ie