Is sciatica a literal pain in your back? Don’t let this pain go untreated. The pain management team at our wellness center can help. Our chiropractor Dr. Phillips can help manage your pain without the need for drugs, surgery or invasive procedures.

Back and Joint Pain Management at San Antonio Wellness Center

If you are new to chiropractic care or have recently been diagnosed with chronic back pain, you may have many treatment questions. Below, Dr. Phillips answers three of your most frequently asked questions.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is caused by a mechanical misalignment of the spine. A car accident, workplace accident or personal injury may cause a disc to slip out of alignment. If this herniated disc occurs in the lower back, it may place pressure on the sciatic nerve. This pressure compresses the nerve, triggering a radiating or numbing pain sensation. Consequently, you may experience not only back pain, but also pain in the buttocks and legs.

As long as a mechanical misalignment exists in your spine, you will continue to experience pain. Some medications may provide temporary relief by “masking” the underlying pain. Unfortunately, when the medication wears off, the pain will return. Rather than masking your back pain, chiropractic care targets the underlying misalignment. Gentle, hands-on adjustments can help restore the herniated disc to its proper position in your spine. This relieves pressure on the sciatic nerve, which in turn will relieve your pain.

Dr. Phillips offers a variety of solutions to treat all your aches and pains. Spinal decompression therapy is extremely effective for treating herniated discs and in some cases, can be an alternative to back surgery. If you also suffer from joint pain, cold laser therapy can help reduce the inflammation that is triggering this pain. Massage therapy releases tension trapped in the lower back muscles. Massaging sore or stiff back tissue can also help restore natural movement to your body.

Have a question about chiropractic care or pain management that we did not answer here? Post it below for Dr. Phillips!