Tag Archives: back pain enniscorthy

Jun 26

An Informative guide on the treatment of Sciatica and Back pain

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An Informative guide on the treatment of sciatica and back pain by Olivia O Leary D.C BSc Hons Chiropractic

Sciatica

Sciatica

 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.  So let’s examine this difficult condition….

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica

Suffering from 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

•    Bulging or protruding discsProtruding disc
•    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.

Proper lifting techniques

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.

Strong core

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:sciatica
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.
  •  Make an appointment at  Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic to facilitate a full diagnosis of of the condition and the most appropriate treatment and exercise options will be explained to you to help you recover fully, faster and prevent injury in the future.

 

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..

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.

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    

Mar 27

Prevent back pain in the garden this Spring

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Prevent back pain in the garden this spring by Olivia O Leary D.C BSc Hons Chiropractic

If you are like many of our clients at Gorey Family Chiropractic you may have been trying to get out after the winter to start the spring planting, cut the grass or tidy up after a long winter.

Now that SpringPrevent back pain sunshine has finally arrived in Wexford here are a few tips from our chiropractors at Gorey Family Chiropractic to help make your spring gardening and DIY safe, healthy and enjoyable. However if like some people you are office or car bound by week and therefore a bit of a  weekend warrior type a few precautions to avoid back pain or other injury may be helpful!

I have noticed here in practice that a long winter restricts some client’s physical activity levels often leading to spinal stiffness and lack of physical condition. This lack of exercise can lead to our back’s, hips and muscles becoming stiff and weaker over the winter. So if you also sit at a desk all week and then attack some vigorous gardening all in the one go, it may unfortunately become a a recipe for disaster!

We can end up using muscles and joints and neural pathways that have barely moved all week and are not used to extended periods of physical activity. Another common problem of  trying to do everything all at once also may leave you exhausted, sore and fed up. There’s a better way!

Give these handy back friendly tips a try:

1.     MPrevent back pain in the Garden with Gorey Family Chiropractorake sure you have all the correct tools and equipment you need before you start. This makes sure you are adequately equipped and avoids unnecessary back or muscle strain due to lack of correct equipment for the task in hand just when you are in the middle of something.

 

2.     Do some stretching or warming up before you begin. This may seem silly but it gets your muscles and joints moving and prepares them for the activities to follow. It’s a well known fact that stretching helps flexibility and helps prevent injury so take a little time to give your body a chance to warm up.

3.    If yoPrevent back pain in the garden this springu are tackling a big job break it down. Make sure you allow yourself time for regular breaks every half hour to hour which is particularly important also with tasks that are repetitive like weeding hoeing. Back pain is often triggered by repetitive hoeing or weeding without a taking a break. A break may be 2 or 3 minutes to sit down or to do some stretching if you feel stiff.

 

4. Using the right moves can go along way to enabling you to plant and rake without the ache. Positioning your body correctly reduces strain on muscles and joints. Remember to keep you back straight and bend your knees. When weeding try to use a mat to ease knee joint pressure.

5.    Drink plenty of water.  Keeping hydrated helps muscles, joints, nerves and our brains to keep functioning well.
6.    Get help. For bigger jobs or those involving heavy lifting make sure you have some help to avoid back pain.  Having help makes lifting safer for your back and quicker to complete the bigger tasks.
7.    Actions such as digging, raking and sweeping which involve bending and twisting at the same time can place a lot of pressure on the joints muscles and discs of the lower back. If there is already some instability in these structures it can increase your risk of damage, so be extra careful with these movements.
8.    Think about your Maintenance! Come in and get your spine , muscles and nerve function checked and treated if necessary by our Gorey Family Chiropractic team BEFORE beginning your next project to help your  stability, function and strength and decrease your chances of back pain or other aches and pains.

GOREY FAMILY CHIROPRACTIC: SUPPORTING YOUR RECOVERY, MAINTAINING RECOVERY AND PREVENTING INJURY

Our specialist Chiropractic team are trained and hold extensive experience both in Ireland and the U.K  in the diagnosis and treatment of back pain, neck pain, nerve and disc disorders as well as treating and managing sports injuries and conditions like osteoarthritis.

On site x ray is offered and for your convenience all of our Gorey Family Chiropractic team are registered with VHI, Glo, Aviva and Laya Healthcare allowing clients claim reimbursement from a wide range of private healthcare Insurance providers including the GAA Scheme.

For further information contact info@chiropractor.ie or call 053 94 83338.

Mar 07

Minimising back strain this calving season

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Minimising back strain this calving season by Olivia O’ Leary D.C BSc Hons Chiropractic

As we progress through calving season, how is your back coping with the strain ?
It’s that time of year in farming when the pace and intensity of the workload has increased rapidly and farmers often faprevent back injury this calving seasonll into the habit of pushing themselves too hard and injuring themselves and only drawing breath when the body is at breaking point or in pain.

As Chiropractors in a rural community dealing and treating  significant numbers of farmers daily, we understand the day to day physical challenges posed by the demands of the farm and the injuries that it can cause particularly at calving time.

Our advice for farmers: Think of the long term and plan for the future. Don’t ignore your back, and when you’re tired don’t take  risks lifting or otherwise, it can be a costly, painful mistake  in the long term. So think of these tips…

Back pain at calving can generally be avoided through good forward planning, using a knowledge of safe lifting and body positioning principles, safe work practices as well as using mechanical aids wherever possible.

Calving related back pain often develops from
• Handling Accidents (getting crushed or knocked down by heifers/cows wary of human contact at calving or just after calving.
• Getting stuck in awkward positions; trying to get a calf out (not leaving enough space behind the cow to get the calf out)
• Long hours and regular night work increases the risk of back pain during this busy time of the year due to fatigue; meaning farmers are more of risk of forgetting to lift properly, take chances hauling things around, falsely believing they’re saving time:-(

Remember
• Well designed calving pens and gates minimise the direct physical contact between the cow/heifer and the farmer reducing handling accidents.
• Calving jacks if properly used can reduce the risk of back injury.
• Mechanical lifting aids such as a pulley system in the calving pen is a useful tool to reduce back strain.

The financial costs to the farmer of a back injury are high, do not ignore back pain believing it will go away, if affected, get early evaluation, treatment and appropriate exercises as necessary to help you recover faster, properly and to minimise the chances of getting injured again so as to avoid time lost unable to work through injury.

Offering comprehensive diagnosis and treatment for injuries relating to the back and neck as well as trapped nerves, shoulder, hip, knee and foot joint and muscle problems, Gorey Family Chiropractic also offers clients on site X-ray services, onsite computerised gait scanning, prescription medical insoles and can arrange direct refferal for MRI where medically necessary.

Gorey Family Chiropractic Clinic is registered with VHI, Aviva/ Irish Life Health and Laya Healthcare allowing clients to claim reimbursement for treatment if covered by their health Insurance policy.

For advice or further information T 053 94 83338

or check out our website on www.chiropractor.ie