Sciatica is a Pain in the Butt: Chronic Pain Quick Read Series, #1

By Dr. Lance K Ewing, DC

Sciatica is a Pain in the Butt. Leran how you can mange the debilitating symptoms of chronic Sciatica.

Sciatica Is a Pain in The Butt! and the leg and...
If you have never experienced Sciatica consider yourself incredibly lucky. The pain caused my moderate to severe sciatica is among the worst in the musculoskeletal family.
How do I know?
I have been successfully treating the symptoms / condition for over 16 years as a Board Certified Chiropractor in Texas.
What sets me apart?
I am also a Sciatica Patient and have been for the past four years. It can take a lifetime of microtraumas, one good fall, or as in my case an auto accident to start this raging beast creating havoc on your life.
Some may be cured, but most will manage the condition as I do.

With a full time Chiropractic career, three boys under age 8 and a couple of huge dogs to wrangle, I have no choice but to find the very best solutions to my symptoms.

Everyone suffering is different and I understand that many of you have more severe Sciatica than I do and that is why I have written this book and created a website, FB page and podcast geared towards chronic pain sufferers of all kinds.

I truly hope you find some value in this book and take a look at some of the other projects I am working on for chronic pain.

Remember to keep smiling and tomorrow is a brand new day!

Dr. Lance K Ewing, DC

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dr. Lance K Ewing, DC
• Release date: Jul 18, 2019
• ISBN: 9798223632832

Book preview

Table of Contents

Introduction

Learning about the Sciatic nerve

The symptoms of Sciatica

What is Sciatica pain?

What causes Sciatica pain?

The main causes of Sciatica

Sciatica may be one of the most difficult to diagnose

How long will I have Sciatica?

Correcting early Sciatica can make all the difference

Consult the right Physician

Chiropractic Adjustments for Sciatica

A possible Patient case study in my Integrated Chiropractic/ Medical Clinic

Poor sleep, fatigue and depression

Sciatica exercises can prevent further pain

Doing the correct exercises for Sciatica

Exercise and Sciatica continued

Yoga and Sciatica

Herbs and supplements

Diet modifications

Living with Chronic pain

Common frustrations for sufferers

Specific lifestyle changes and natural treatments

Classic remedies

Classic remedies - epsome salt baths

Classic remedies - Targeted supplementation using herbs and spices

Classic remedies - hot and cold

Massage

Internet products for Sciatica

Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Sciatica pain

Sciatica relief with weight loss

Putting Sciatica and pregnancy together for women

Finding the best Sciatica pain management for you

20 tips for dealing with Sciatica

Conclusion

Disclaimer: This publication is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Medical advice should always be obtained from a qualified medical professional for any health conditions or symptoms associated with them. Every possible effort has been made in preparing and researching this material. We make no warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability of its contents or any omissions.

THE LEGAL STUFF:

The author has made every attempt to be as accurate and complete as possible in the creation of this publication/PDF,

BUT does not warrant or represent at any time that the contents within are accurate due to the rapidly changing nature of the Internet. The author assumes NO responsibility for errors, omissions, or contrary interpretation of the subject matter herein.

Learning About the Sciatic Nerve

Many people that experience pain in their back or lower extremities will talk about it coming from the sciatic nerve. This may come from a diagnosis from their doctor or may just be a guess on their part based on where the pains are located. In spite of this, many people don't actually know much about the Sciatic nerve, other than that it can cause pain!

The Sciatic nerve, the largest and longest nerve in the body, starts in the lower part of the back, also known as the lumbosacral spine. The Sciatic nerve, along with all its nerve branches, is ¾ inch in diameter (about the width of your thumb) and an inch long and is responsible for the sensory and motor functions in the knee, calf, thigh, ankle, feet and toes. The sciatic nerve has a pathway for nerve branches that go from the lower back right to the toes.

If the sciatic nerve is somehow injured, it may become inflamed and cause symptoms called Sciatica. Although many people believe sciatica is a disease, it is actually a group of symptoms. When a patient gets Sciatica, there can be pain anywhere from the lower back right down to the toes. The pain may be in any one of those places or in all of them. If a person has a condition called a herniated disc or bulging disc, it will press against the sciatic nerve, causing many different symptoms starting with numbness or weakness to severe excruciating pain. People with sciatic nerve pain often have difficulties with even the simplest tasks like walking, sitting or standing.

The sciatic nerve consists of branches that go to different parts of the body. It starts in the lower back and goes into the pelvic area (sacrum). From the sacrum, it travels through a path called the sciatic foramen at which point it branches off into two branches called the articular branch and muscular branch. The articular branch flows through the hip area while the muscular branch operates the muscles that enable the movement we make; the leg flexor muscles. The sciatic nerve is what enables not only our motor functions, but also any feeling we may have in the calf, ankle, knee, thigh, toes or foot.

The sciatic nerve is usually injured by trauma to the thighs or buttocks or fractured pelvis. Sitting or lying for a long period may put pressure on the buttocks may also cause the sciatic nerve to become damaged. At one time, open back surgery was the only cure for an injured sciatic nerve, but there are now different types of treatments such as Chiropractic adjustments, Physical Therapy, Acupuncture, Massage, Medications, Injections, Surgery and lifestyle changes including exercise and diet.

THE SYMPTOMS OF SCIATICA

Because sciatica does not affect just one area of the body, the sciatica symptoms are often misdiagnosed at first or difficult to diagnose. The pain may be in the lower back, the leg, buttocks or feet. The pain may be most severe in the lower back or it may be more severe in the legs. Because of this variation, many sufferers don't realize what is wrong and thus prolong the treatment of the illness.

Although there are a few different sciatica symptoms, the most common is pain in the posterior (back), buttocks, thigh, lower part of the leg or in the foot. In most cases, pain in the lower back is also one of the sciatica symptoms. In some cases, the pain in the lower back is stronger than in the legs or feet, but in other cases, the lower back has the least severe pain. Each individual case of sciatica is different. Many times, when patients suffer from sciatica, they don't realize what it is until the pain actually gets to the thighs and legs. They feel they just have severe lower back pains from overuse or misuse of the back. Because of this, they often fail to seek medical treatment as quickly as they should have. I have more patients present to my office with severe back pain or Sciatica from something as simple