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What You Need to Know About Sciatica

Bottom Line:

Let’s dive right into what you need to know about sciatica.

To understand what sciatica is, it helps to think of sciatica more as a set of symptoms than a condition.

When you hear someone say they “have sciatica,” what they have is pain, numbness, or tingling that starts in their low back or buttocks and extends through the lower extremity on one side of their body.

And wow, can it hurt!

It can also become chronic.

That’s why it’s a smart idea to seek out a chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment in Warrington, PA.

Here’s what you need to know about sciatica and how it develops.

If a nerve in your low back is compressed or “pinched”, your body is sure to let you know about it with a jolt of pain.

The sciatic nerves are the longest nerves in the body.

Several individual branches or nerve roots in your lower back combine to form the sciatic nerves which travel down into each of your legs.

Although you have two sciatic nerves (one on each side of your body), sciatica symptoms typically only occur on one side of the body as noted above.

If you have radiating pain down both of your legs, it is less likely that the pain is caused by a pinched sciatic nerve.

Some of the common symptoms people experience when one of the sciatic nerves is pinched or irritated include:

• Increased leg pain when sitting.
• Weakness in the leg or foot.
• Sharp pain that makes it difficult to walk.

Such symptoms need no introduction.

They’re probably what lead you to take some time to find out what you need to know about sciatica.

Pain is your body’s way of saying “pay attention inside now!”

Each of the above symptoms is a warning sign from your body.

It’s your body’s way of letting you know you’ve pushed past its limits.

The good news?

With the proper care and a little time, you can get your life back!

Why it Matters:

Did you know that sciatica often resolves without you having to resort to risky medications or a dangerous surgery?

No – we’re not talking about sciatica pain that seemingly disappears on its own.

This is really what you need to know about sciatica and to commit to memory.

Trust us, that pain will return if the underlying issue is not addressed.

In fact, we’ve heard many of our sciatica patients describe their symptoms as sciatica attacks for this very reason – they come back!

Chiropractic is a safe, effective, natural, and popular treatment strategy for sciatica pain.

The numbers don’t lie.

In one widely circulated study, researchers observed that 89% of patients suffering from symptomatic sciatica responded very well to chiropractic adjustments.

As the leading chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment in the Warminster area, we’ve seen it time and time again right here in our practice.

Movement-based strategies such as spinal adjustments, controlled exercise, and dynamic stretching are a few of the most effective ways to relieve low back issues.

This is also what you need to know about sciatica.

Chiropractic care currently ranks at the top of many leading healthcare organizations’ recommendations to relieve sciatica and low-back pain.

Medications and injections and surgeries are no longer considered first-line treatments both because of their inherent risks and, ultimately, limited effectiveness.

And not only are movement-based strategies effective at providing relief, but research also indicates these may be able to offer a preventative effect when continued over time.

If you’ve thought about therapy that doesn’t include spinal mobilization, here’s something else to consider…

A recent study found that 20% more study participants experienced sciatica pain relief when spinal adjustments were included with a regular exercise routine.

Next Steps:

Sciatica pain has the potential to severely impact your quality of life.

But when it comes to what you need to know about sciatica, rest assured that you don’t need to immediately resort to medications, injections, or surgery to correct the problem.

Top research publications have shown that risky prescription pain medications are hardly ever more effective than a spinal adjustment.

The best way to treat sciatica is with the care offered in our practice.

Spinal adjustments, stretching, and exercise have all been shown to be extremely effective at reducing sciatica pain by reducing the pinching (or compression) on your spinal nerves.

Starting with chiropractic care is the smartest decision you can make.

If you or someone you know is struggling with sciatica pain, schedule an appointment with a chiropractor specializing in sciatica treatment in Montgomery County like us today.

Our doors are open, and our expert team is here to help!

Science Source:
Outcomes of Patients with Symptomatic Herniations Receiving Spinal Therapy. JMPT. 2014.

Be Like Mike: How to Reach Your Full Potential

Bottom Line:

Athletes and active people alike are always looking for that edge that keeps them performing at their best.

And there may not be anyone who embodies that spirit more than basketball legend Michael Jordan.

He won six world championships, multiple gold medals, and broke many records in the NBA!

So what was a big part of his success?

Well, aside from a tremendous amount of hard work and persistence, here’s a Michael Jordan quote about chiropractic you may not have heard before…

“I didn’t know how much I could improve until I started seeing a chiropractor. Since I’ve been in chiropractic, I’ve improved by leaps and bounds both mentally and physically.”

Yep – it’s true.

Why it Matters:

Just like you are, Michael Jordan was always striving to reach his full potential both physically and mentally.

And with that statement, he joined athletes like Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Wayne Gretzky.

Each and every one has talked about how chiropractic care helped them stay at the top of their game, and that should come as no surprise.

With the rigors of pro sports in general and the routine demands these athletes place on their bodies, it makes sense that chiropractic care would be used to keep them healthy. Because of chiropractic care, they could keep performing at their highest potential.

Here are what other star athletes have had to say about chiropractic.

• “Chiropractic care has been instrumental in my life, both on and off the field…” – quote attributed to Jerry Rice
• “Performing at my best is important to me and should be to everyone. Getting adjusted regularly along with practicing other good health habits that my mom helped me to establish – are all part of my goal to win in life and on the field.” – quote attributed to Aaron Rodgers
• “I’ve been going to a chiropractor for as long as I can remember, it is as important as the practice of my swing.” – quote attributed to Tiger Woods

Next Steps:

Michael Jordan was ahead of his time with his training methods and healthcare choices.

Now, it’s common to see a chiropractor on the sidelines of every professional sport.

Obviously, you don’t need to be a professional athlete to have a reason to want to improve your health, well-being, and physical performance.

We’re all interested in spending less time managing aches and pains and more time enjoying the benefits of peak function and strength, so don’t skip your next adjustment!

Also, we hope you’ll do us a favor.

Many people still aren’t aware of the benefits of chiropractic care.

So, the next time someone compliments you on your golf swing or posture, let them know that chiropractic helped, and you know an excellent sports chiropractor in Bucks and Montgomery County areas!

Science Sources:
Packers’ Rodgers Has Deep Roots in Chico. New York Times. 2011.
Impact of Spinal Manipulation on Cortical Drive to Upper and Lower Limb Muscles. Brain Science. 2017.

The Neck Pain Solution No One is Talking About

Bottom Line:

Get this.

There is a natural neck pain solution that works better than medications and is far less risky than injections or surgery.

This natural neck pain solution is often recommended by many physicians.

This natural neck pain solution is also recommended as a first line treatment by most major healthcare organizations.

So why hasn’t the world embraced it?

That’s a good question.

Why it Matters:

That natural neck pain solution is chiropractic care.

Chiropractors primarily focus on improving and maintaining the structure and function of your entire spine, and that includes your neck.

Gentle adjustments applied to the neck have been shown to effectively improve range of motion which can help reduce pain.

And get this.

Even a disc herniation doesn’t automatically mean your condition is too advanced for chiropractic care.

Research has shown that nearly 80% of people with a disc herniation in their neck found relief with spinal adjustments.So, if you’ve been living with neck pain, here’s what we want you to know…

• Drugs and surgeries usually aren’t recommended for the care of neck pain due to their potential side effects and risks.
• The Cleveland Clinic, American College of Physicians, and other high profile healthcare organizations support chiropractic adjustments for the care of neck issues.
• Recent research has also shown that chiropractor provided spinal adjustments can provide more relief than steroid injections for neck pain caused by a disc herniation.

Next Steps:

Whether you’ve been living with neck pain for a day, a month, a year, or more, the first step to finding relief is finding out where it all started.

We want to help.

Our expert team has the compassion, know-how, and tools needed to uncover and treat the structural issue at the root of your pain.

So, if you or someone you know is living with neck pain, you should be looking for a chiropractor specializing in neck pain in the Hatboro and Horsham areas.

We do, and we hope you’ll take a moment for yourself and give us a call today!

Science Source(s):
Chiropractic Care for Arthritis. Arthritis Foundation. 2020.
How to Get Rid of a Stiff Neck. Cleveland Clinic. 2021.
Cervical Disk Herniation Patients Treated with Spinal Manipulative Therapy. JMPT. 2013.
Symptomatic MRI-Confirmed Cervical Disk Herniation Patients. JMPT. 2016.

How Inflammation Affects Your Body

Bottom Line:

Inflammation is like a check engine light for your body. It tells you that something isn’t quite right, and you should pay attention.

The first step in discovering the cause of the problem is determining whether you have acute or chronic inflammation.

Acute inflammation is short-term and plays a critical role in healing and injury repair. Chronic inflammation on the other hand describes a condition where your immune system continues to produce white blood cells and chemicals even after the injury is gone.

Why it Matters:

The combination of chronic inflammation and an excess of white blood cells can cause some problems for your immune system. In some cases, your immune system may even begin to target healthy cells and structures.

If sustained over a long period of time, you may experience changes in your cells, tissues, and organs that can increase the likelihood of disease.

Of course, one of the most significant challenges is that chronic inflammation can be invisible unless you know where to look.

Here are a few of the most common signs of chronic inflammation:

• Insulin resistance. Insulin helps control the sugar level in your blood, and inflammation could affect how well your insulin works.
• Muscle weakness. Chronic inflammation can cause your immune system to mistakenly attack and inflame your muscles, which could make you weaker.
• Fatigue. Fatigue is a sign of long-term inflammation and common in inflammatory diseases like fibromyalgia, multiple sclerosis, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Next Steps:

If you’ve been living with muscle weakness, fatigue, or other nagging pains, you may also be living with chronic inflammation.

It’s often your daily habits that contribute to this state of chronic inflammation.

Know that our team specializes in helping you create a healthy lifestyle through daily habits that combat chronic inflammation.

We invite you to take the first step towards better health by scheduling your next visit with us today so we can work together to help you feel and function at your best.

Science Source(s):
Signs of Chronic Inflammation You May Not Expect. WebMD. 2019.
Understanding Acute and Chronic Inflammation. Harvard Health Publishing. 2020.

Why Chiropractic Care is Critical for Kids Who Play Sports

Bottom Line:

Youth sports are a big deal.

It’s estimated that over 45 million kids are actively engaged in sports!

While sports give kids a fantastic opportunity to grow socially and physically, they also increase risks for injuries, pain from overuse, and muscular imbalances.

Finding proactive ways to reduce the risk of injury and balance the effects of training are essential for your child’s developing musculoskeletal system.

Why it Matters:

Your child’s skeletal system is actively developing until they are approximately 25 years old.

Their postural habits, history of injuries, and genetics play a role in their body’s final form (and function).

Sports have the potential to add a significant amount of stress and increase the chances of injuries for your developing child.

Even small injuries to their spine can create bigger challenges down the road as they get older.

To recap:

• Addressing minor injuries and challenges while your child is young can help ensure proper musculoskeletal development.
• Youth sports can increase your child’s likelihood of developing overuse, growth plate injuries, and chronic pain.

Next Steps:

Chiropractic care is another safe and natural way to help your child stay active and perform their best.

So don’t shrug it off if your child complains of back pain, headaches, or a stiff neck.

Pain is a signal to “Pay Attention Inside Now.”

Our practitioners are experienced at evaluating active children and creating kid-friendly care plans.

Together, we can help your child stay engaged with their favorite sports for years to come.

Science Source(s):
Specialization & Overuse Injuries in Young Athletes. UCONN Health. 2017.

5 Keys to Longevity

A recent study uncovered five critical keys to a longer life, and they are so simple, anyone can do them.

1. Eat well. Concentrate on fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and seeds, healthy fats, and less sugar, red meat and processed foods. Some call this the “Mediterranean” diet, but whatever you call it, eating a clean, wholesome, nutritious diet is a cornerstone of longevity.
2. If you don’t use it, you lose it, so get your body into motion. Federal guidelines recommend 3-5 30 minute workouts, or 3-5 more intense 15-minute workouts, but more important, listen to your body and respect the process of getting fit. You can start slow and work your way up based on your current level of fitness. Don’t rush, but push enough to achieve better results.
3. Maintain a healthy weight. The latest research shows that overweight and obesity unchecked often lead to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Those who keep their weight in a normal range will live longer and suffer less.
4. Drink alcohol in moderation. Adult beverages are toxic in any quantity, but it is accepted that one or two drinks a day is considered moderate drinking. Use common sense, and err on the side of discretion. And of course, never, ever drink and drive.
5. Don’t smoke. Smoking is bad for you in so many ways, get the help you need to quit, or better, don’t start in the first place. Educate your family about the harm of smoking.

These five simple lifestyle decisions will dramatically increase your lifespan, and also add quality to those extra years. It’s not important to simply live a long life; you want to live a long life that you can enjoy. It’s your life though – do the right thing for yourself and your family.

Although it didn’t make the recent study, a sixth important factor would be to get adjusted by your chiropractor to make sure that your brain and nervous system are working at their optimal levels. If you don’t have a chiropractor, then schedule a consultation to find out how we can help you and your family!

6 Ways to Spring Clean Your Body, Your Mind, and Your Life

This time of year, after the long winter, is a popular time for people to clean out their houses, yards, etc. However, this year, maybe we should also clean up certain parts of our lives. Here are six methods to clear out unwanted and unneeded aspects of your lifestyle.

1. De-clutter! Extra “stuff” in your environment distracts you, irritates you and interferes with clear thinking and creativity. Clearing out your drawers, shelves, closets and piles of junk that may be lying around will purge your mind of the harmful effects of clutter, so you can be more productive and get better results at whatever you do.
2. Diminish your self-doubt. Insecurity dashes your dreams and prevents you from betting on yourself – rather, rid yourself of negative thoughts and move yourself forward! You’ll feel lighter, more effective, ready to go.
3. Ditch your bad habits. Easier said than done, perhaps, but this is one of the places you are self-sabotaging – in other words, you may have chosen things to do that don’t serve you and in fact make your body sicker and less efficient. Smoking, excessive drinking, eating badly, watching too much television – be honest with yourself and really take an objective look at cleaning up your act. It will come back to reward you many times over.
4. Limit or shut down your exposure to negative news. Between TV, radio, social media and your friends and neighbors gossiping, we are constantly bathed in negativity, and it has a severe impact on us, focusing us on unpleasantness and making it harder to maintain a positive attitude. No matter how you rationalize it, the steady drip of anger, pain and self-righteousness is certainly toxic, and should be avoided if not completely excised from your consciousness.
5. Face your fears. Getting outside your comfort zone is a sure sign that you are willing to move ahead, essential for spring cleaning – after all, you can’t do the same things over and over and expect different results. Whatever you wish you could do, or do more of, address it.
6. Disappear toxic relationships. Again, this may be easier said than done, but you have to start somewhere – recognize the love parasites and energy vampires in your life, and do your best to minimize contact with them. Avoid people who bum you out, criticize you and make you feel bad about yourself. Instead, hang out with those who support you, build you up and make you feel good!

Hopefully, this week you can get some of the spring cleaning in your life started. Next week, after we have started removing some of the bad from our lives, we will take a look at five steps you can add to build yourself up even better.