Chiropractic Santa Monica

Sciatica is a very common problem and it is often defined as pain that travels from the lower back or the leg via the sciatica nerve. The pain is often times a result of the pinching of the nerve root in the lower spinal region (lumbar area) that forms the sciatica nerve. Often times, sciatica is the result of a herniated disc or damaged disc in the lumber spine, which results in pressure on the sciatica nerve. The condition is often referred to as a radiculopathy and it means that a disc has moved from its normal position in the spine and is causing pressure on the radicular nerve located in the lower back.

Sciatica is most common among people between the ages of 30 and 50, but many people have sciatic nerve complaints into their 60s 70s 80s and 90s. There are less frequent cases where sciatica is the result of an injury or direct physical trama. Most of the time direct trauma problems are caused by injury to the lower back spinal areas.

Any symptom that results from an irritation of the sciatic nerve is classified as sciatica. This irritation may result from several combinations. The most common form of pain experienced in sciatica is from the hip to the calf of any one leg. The pain can scale down to the foot or reach up to the lower back. It is quite common to have difficulty controlling the leg at such times or even have the leg going numb.

The sciatica nerve is the largest nerve in the human body. The nerve begins at the lumbar spinal cord and exits the spine at the L4 L5 areas. This is where the root of the sciatica nerve is location and from here it goes to the buttocks region. Pain is felt when the root of the nerve is irritated or pinched by any means. If a disc from the spinal cord slips out of its normal location then it can press down or pinch the sciatic nerve and bring about the symptoms mentioned.

The most common symptom is a consistent pain in one side of the buttock that goes down to the leg on the same side. This pain is very sharp and sitting or standing can be very difficult. The affected leg may also experience numbness or general weakness. Sometimes the numb feeling is felt in the back of the upper leg (hamstring), sometimes it is felt in the lower leg (calf muscle), sometimes it is felt in both the upper and lower leg, and even into the heel of the foot, and/or the big toe.

Though relatively less common, an injury to the sciatic nerve can also cause this problem. The injury can even be the result of a puncture wound to the upper thigh or the buttocks. People who spend way too much time sitting in one position (like driving in traffic) or standing for too long (waiting in line at Costco) are also at risk of developing sciatica because this puts a lot of pressure on the nerve. Increased use of computers is resulting in greater complaints about sciatica and low back related problems in general. It is even possible that foreign bodies or tumors may also cause irritation in the sciatic nerve.

the condition of sciatica is often tested using computerized EMG that records electric activity in muscles or through a nerve conduction test. Many people with sciatic complaints will have a two to five view x-ray series done on their lumbar spine in order to see if spinal vertebrae are involved.

What one is going to do for sciatica is going to differ from person to person. In chiropractic, chiropractor’s work with the spine in order to restore normal position and function to not only the lumbar areas (which are most often involved with sciatic pain), but to other areas of the spine as well. A chiropractor will typically begin first with an examination of the low back and legs, as well as an exam on the rest of the spine. Chiropractors will often use their hands to feel for muscle tension, tightness, edema (swelling), and misalignment of vertebrae in the lumbar spine areas. Some chiropractors will take x-rays and others will not. The decision to take x-rays or not depends mostly on the techniques the chiropractor uses in clinical practice.

Where to go for sciatic care in LA
If you are seeking a chiropractor in the Santa Monica or Los Angeles area that can help you assess whether you have a sciatic nerve problem, you can contact one of the chiropractic offices listed below.

Chiropractor Culver City - contact Dr. Michael Dorausch ADIO Family Chiropractic Clinic on Culver Boulevard
Chiropractor Santa Monica - contact either Dr. Ken Gee Ehrlich (The Good Chiropractor) or Dr. Brandon Takahashi of Takahashi Chiropractic - Chiropractor West Los Angeles
For a Pacific Palisades Chiropractor, contact Dr. Luke Cohen at the Innate Chiropractic Center, and clinic located on Marquez Avenue in Pacific Palisades.

If you are seeking a chiropractor somewhere else in the Los Angeles area, or somewhere else in the United States, one place you can get more information is at the chiropractic city directory pages on the planet chiropractic web site.

Santa Monica is a coastal city in western Los Angeles County, California, USA. It borders Santa Monica Bay (part of the Pacific Ocean) on the west, Pacific Palisades and Brentwood on the north, West Los Angeles and Mar Vista on the east, and Venice on the south. Except for the Pacific Ocean to its west, it is a municipality completely surrounded by the City of Los Angeles.

Santa Monica is a city that boasts one of the most spectacular ocean views in the world. As of the 2000 census, the city had a population of around 84,000. An early 2006 estimate has the population of Santa Monica at over 103,000.

This website will feature articles and content from local chiropractors that live, practice, or play in and around Santa Monica. Watch for articles from Los Angeles Chiropractor - Dr. Michael Dorausch, Chiropractor West LA - Dr. Brandon Takahashi, Santa Monica Chiropractor - Dr. Ken G. Ehrlich, articles by chiropractic students and those generally interested in the field of chiropractic.