Specialist Sciatica care in Bristol

A Bit About Sciatica...

Sciatica is any kind of pain that is caused as a result of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the back of the pelvis all the way down the legs to your feet, being irritated or compressed.

If you’re suffering from sciatic pain you’ll feel a pain radiating out from your lower back and travelling down your leg to your calf and foot, which can be extremely painful in cases. As well as leg pain symptoms of sciatica can include pins and needles, numbness, cramping and muscle weakness.

If you have sciatica, your:

• Bottom
• Backs of your legs
• Feet and toes

may feel:

• Painful – the pain may be stabbing, burning or shooting
• Tingling – like pins and needles
• Numb
• Weak

Your symptoms may be worse when moving, sneezing or coughing.

You may also have back pain, but this is not usually as bad as the pain in your bottom, legs or feet.

What Can Cause Sciatica?

The most common cause of sciatica is a 'slipped disc' or disc prolapse, this is where the soft inner material of the intervertebral disc (the cartilage shock absorber between the bones of the spine) pushes out through the tougher outer edge of the disc (a bit like jam oozing out of a doughnut!). This can also occur in the discs in the neck. The result is irritation and compression of the nearby nerves. Depending on where the disc prolapse is and how big will determine whether you experience just pain or pins and needles, weakness or numbness in the legs.

Poor posture, poor ergonomics such as heavy lifting with a bent spine, prolonged periods of sitting and inactivity can all contribute to wear and tear of the spinal discs resulting in a disc prolapse.

What Can Go Wrong?

• Disc prolapse or slipped disc (the most common cause) – when the disc between the bones in your spine pushes out
• Spinal stenosis – narrowing of the spinal canal where nerves pass through
• Spondylolisthesis – when one of the bones in your spine slips out of position
• Osteoarthritis - bony spurs from wear and tear of the spine can compress or irritate the nerve
• Myofascial trigger points - tightness in the muscles of the buttocks can compress and irritate the sciatic nerve

Specialist Treatment And Prevention Of Sciatica

At The Medical we offer a wide range of services to treat sciatica. Our treatments are delivered by a team of exceptional practitioners. Our specialist practitioners, combined with the unique treatment methodology we've developed, means we deliver the highest quality service and best possible results.

The NICE Guidelines, based on the best available scientific evidence, promotes the use of manual therapy (mobilisation, manipulation, soft tissue techniques) and strengthening exercises for the treatment of back pain and sciatica.

At The Medical, we specialise in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of back pain:

1. Diagnosis - 3D Movement Scanners
2. Treatment - manual therapy, such as manipulating the spine and massage, carried out by physiotherapists or chiropractors
3. Strength and conditioning - Pilates and rehabilitation where you're taught exercises to strengthen your muscles and improve your posture
   

Your road to recovery begins with a full assessment with a physiotherapist or chiropractor

If you have a particular question about Sciatica, why not ask one of our expert clinicians for some free advice?

Chiropractic is for everybody. Whether you suffer from long term back pain, your wrist is aching from working at the kitchen table, you’ve pulled your shoulder at the gym, or you slept funny and woke up with a niggle in your neck…

Booking in for an assessment with one of our specialists will put your mind at ease, provide you with a sound explanation, and a plan to combat the pain.

We’re all guilty of putting our bodies on the back-burner, but it’s best to take the first step and catch pain early to prevent it progressing down the line. The sooner we get it sorted, the better!

Doctors of Chiropractic are trained to diagnose, treat, manage and prevent disorders of the musculoskeletal system (bones, joints, and muscles), as well as the effects these disorders can have on the nervous system and general health. They have a specialist interest in neck and back pain, but when they assess patients, they take their entire physical, emotional and social wellbeing into account.

Chiropractors use a range of techniques to reduce pain, improve function and increase mobility, including hands-on manipulation of the spine. Chiropractic care mainly involves safe, often gentle, specific spinal manipulation to free joints in the spine or other areas of the body that are not moving properly. These are known as 'adjustments'. Apart from manipulation, chiropractors may use a variety of techniques including ice, heat, ultrasound, exercise and acupuncture as well as advice about posture and lifestyle.

Chiropractic is a regulated primary healthcare profession. The title of 'chiropractor' is protected by law and it is a criminal offence for anyone to describe themselves as a chiropractor without being registered with the GCC. All of our chiropractors are properly qualified and registered to practice.

Chiropractic places its emphasis on the examination, diagnosis and management of problems and/or conditions that can affect the spine, nervous system, muscles or extremity joints of the body (the neuro-musculoskeletal system).

The musculoskeletal system is the largest system in the human body. It is constructed of muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, and numerous neurological components that coordinate it. Chiropractors specialise in maintaining this system, allowing it to function more effectively and with minimum wear and tear. Where there is a problem, chiropractic offers an established method of diagnosis and treatment, providing effective relief from any pain or discomfort.

Most people associate chiropractic care with the treatment of back pain, neck pain and headaches. We go further than that and our chiropractors take into consideration your overall health status before embarking on a treatment programme, in co-operation with you, the patient.

People from all walks of life and of all ages can benefit from chiropractic care. Using a variety of manipulative techniques designed to improve the function of joints and reduce muscle spasm, our qualified chiropractors help to relieve the particular stresses that are causing a condition to occur in the first place, which ultimately leads to pain reduction and improved functional capacity.