- Nault Chiropractic

Sciatica Pain Relief During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful time for women as they await the birth of their child. Unfortunately, many mothers also experience quite a bit of pain in a number of areas prior to the birth of their child. Seeking chiropractic care for pain and sciatica during pregnancy can help alleviate your symptoms and prepare your body for childbirth.

Many women suffer from sciatic nerve pain throughout the pregnancy process. This pain starts in the lower back and shoots down the back of the leg. During pregnancy, the weight and position of the baby can cause irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica pain often does not appear until the second or third trimester, but it is highly uncomfortable and sometimes even prevents activity for some expectant moms. Luckily, there are treatment options that do not require medication. These holistic options are safe for both Mom and the new baby.

Chiropractic Care

The most effective treatment for sciatic pain during pregnancy is chiropractic care. Chiropractors – like Dr. Nault – specialize in treating nerve pain that affects joints and other areas. They can alleviate the pressure on the nerves with adjustments.

The procedure includes the chiropractor using a tool or their hands to release the gas between joints. The joint pops into place and releases a fluid that lubricates the area. The result is often a refreshing, pain free feeling. Some patients take a little time to work into the adjustment. Muscles may tense up around the area and take a few days to relax after an adjustment.

Overall, most expectant mothers will get the relief they need from frequent adjustments. Regular adjustments are an easy way to alleviate one of the major causes of sciatica pain. Doctor Nault will work with you to determine the most effective treatment method for your needs. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities.

Stretches

There are also different stretches that can help alleviate pain to the sciatic area. Pelvic tilts, hamstring stretches, and other bends and stretches can help keep the area limber and in less pain.

We know that you already deal with a lot. Sciatic pain should not have to be something you simply deal with. These treatments can help alleviate the pain to make the pregnancy process as enjoyable as possible. Contact Nault Chiropractic today to schedule your appointment. We’ll help you find relief from your pregnancy pain, so you can focus on getting ready for your new baby.

Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica

in Back Pain, Sciatica

Chiropractic treatment can take care of many common issues, capitalizing on the body’s potential to heal itself. Sciatica, a common traveling pain that begins in the lower back and moves to the legs, can be treated with chiropractic care.

Sciatica pain often presents itself as achy or sometimes sharp pain, a pins and needles feeling or numbness. Sciatica is a symptom of disorders, rather than a disorder itself. Sciatica is caused by nerve compression from things like slipped discs, pregnancy and childbirth, straining while using the bathroom, among other things. Chiropractic treatment, which is rooted in the idea that limited spine movement can cause pain, is non-invasive and drug free. Often, this is a better and safer choice for treatment.

There are multiple ways to treat Sciatica using chiropractic care. A chiropractor can use ice or cold therapy to reduce inflammation caused by sciatica. The cold treatment provides pain relief and helps alleviate the intense pain, making it more bearable day to day.

Nault Chiropractic in Worcester, offers chiropractic care for the treatment of Sciatica symptoms. Dr. Stephen Nault can help restore you to a pain free life through holistic chiropractic care. If you suffer from sciatica, contact Nault Chiropractic today.

Chiropractors can also use ultrasound technology to heat the area. The heat from the ultrasound will send sound waves deeply into the tissue, which can increase circulation and relax the muscles. Ultrasound treatment is gentle and can reduce muscle spasms, stiffness, numbness and cramping caused by sciatica. When treating with ultrasound, patients will generally receive multiple sessions of ultrasound therapy in an effort to reduce or alleviate pain.

A chiropractor can also use transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation, or TENS, to reduce acute pain or muscle spasms. TENS are small battery powered muscle stimulating machines. When the muscles are stimulated, the chiropractor is able to restore mobility into the spine, possibly freeing a pinched nerve that may be causing the pain or numbness.

Spinal adjustments are another way chiropractors can treat sciatica. This treatment is the most common way of alleviating sciatica pain. Spinal adjustment, or spinal manipulation, can help align the spine and loosen any limitations the spine may have. The goal is to restore full range of motion of the spine, thus improving function of the spine. Spinal manipulation can reduce inflammation and pain, though the adjustment itself should not be painful. Techniques include high power thrusts to gentle pressure.

Chiropractors can also assign rehabilitative exercises to the patient to help with sciatica pain. These exercises can help with range of motion and strengthening the spine. The exercises are generally given to the patient to complete over a period of time. At the end of that period of time, the chiropractor will evaluate the success of the exercise’s effect on the pain.

Often times, chiropractors will treat the sciatica in combination with the underlying cause of the sciatica pain. Adjustments during pregnancy are safe and possible. Through chiropractic care, the pain and numbness of sciatica can be reduced or completely eliminated.

Understanding Spinal Decompression

in Back Pain, Spinal Decompression

Chronic back pain is very common, and can be very debilitating. Back pain can interfere with a person’s ability to work, enjoy sports and hobbies, and sometimes even prevents people from engaging in basic activities of daily living. Most people are desperate for relief. One treatment that can provide significant pain relief without the use of surgery or powerful medications is spinal decompression therapy.

Dr. Stephen Nault offers spinal decompression for a number of different ailments. If you suffer from back pain, Dr. Nault could be able to help through his holistic approach to chiropractic care. Contact Nault Chiropractic today to schedule your appointment, and start your journey towards a pain free lifestyle.

What is spinal decompression?

Spinal decompression therapy is a type of traction that stretches out the spine. The stretching process relieves the pressure on the discs, which can encourage them to retract back into their normal positions. Once the discs retract, they stop putting painful pressure on nerves and muscles near the spine, relieving pain. Removing the pressure on the discs through decompression therapy can also allow better circulation of blood, oxygen and fluids in and around the discs, which may help any pain-causing damage to heal.

How is it performed?

The patient has a harness applied to the body, and then lies on a computer-controlled table. The device gently stretches out the spine. Some people use inversion therapy to perform spinal decompression. In inversion therapy, the patient is strapped to a table that rotates upside-down. Hanging upside down strongly decompresses the spine.

How long does it take?

Each decompression session usually lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Most patients need to be treated up to 30 times over the course of eight weeks in order to achieve lasting benefit. Individuals who opt for home inversion therapy usually report they engage in 15 to 30 minute sessions most days.

Who is it for?

Anyone suffering from chronic back pain may benefit from decompression therapy. Chiropractors often recommend it for individuals with sciatica, herniated discs, and radiculopathy. Anyone with metal implants in the spine, spinal fractures, tumors, abdominal aortic aneurysm, or severe osteoporosis should not undergo spinal decompression therapy.

Spinal decompression therapy, when conducted under the supervision of a skilled health-care provider – like Dr. Stephen Nault — appears to be quite safe. Home inversion therapy should not be attempted unless it is discussed first and approved by a health-care provider. Inversion therapy should be tried under the supervision of a health-care provider before attempting it at home.

Stretches for Morning Back and Neck Stiffness

in Back Pain, Neck Pain

Many individuals have back and neck stiffness in the morning and attribute it to a bad sleeping position or stress. As a matter of fact, there may be other factors that are not being considered.

Nault Chiropractic can help you with back and neck stiffness though proper adjustments and treatment. We know how important it is to feel your best, and our trained staff can help you do just that without harsh medicines. Our holistic approach can help you feel your best naturally. To schedule your appointment, contact Nault Chiropractic today.

Here are a few ways that you can prevent your back and your neck from being stiff in the morning and start your day off better.

Check your mouth and teeth for signs of wear

Your neck and back are intricately connected to other parts of your body, especially your teeth. If you grind your teeth during the night, you are likely to wake up with neck and back stiffness along with headaches and other aches and pains. However, there is a simple way to get rid of this problem – a mouth guard.

Mouth guards resemble the type of equipment that boxers and hockey players wear on the field. Placing it on the teeth when you sleep will protect your mouth, back and neck from many stresses that may cause pain in the morning.

Stretch your neck and back

There are many stretches that you can perform when you feel stiffness in your neck and back that will help to relieve the tension. A few of them will be mentioned below.

The trunk stretch – This stretch can be done as soon as you wake up in the morning. Lie on your back with your knees bent at a 45° angle and your feet on the bed. Slowly move your knees as far as you can to your right side without moving your upper torso. Stretch for at least 10 seconds when you have reached the limit of your flexibility. Repeat on the other side.

The neck retraction – Sit in an upright position with your eyes straightforward and your chin straight out. Slowly retract your neck without dipping your chin as far back as it can go. Hold this position for five seconds and repeat five times.

The neck rotation – After you perform the neck retraction, you can add the neck rotation to it for added benefit. When you have retracted your neck, slowly move your neck from left to right without dipping your chance. When you have reached the limit of your flexibility on either side, hold for at least 10 seconds.

Make sure that you maintain good posture throughout the day

One of the biggest stresses that you can put on the body is that posture. Take a break at least once every 20 minutes if your job requires you to remain stationary at a desk. Check yourself every so often to make sure that you are not putting any undue stress on your neck and back from your sedentary position.

Leg Length

in Back Pain

Can the length of your legs be behind other physical problems?

It’s possible.

According to the professional organization ChiroTrust, leg length is key to posture. When there is a difference in the length of your legs, the pelvis is unable to hold a level position. Because the pelvis is the spine’s base, it cannot remain straight when there is a discrepancy in leg length.

Orthopedic surgeons take leg length into account when they decide whether to perform hip and knee replacements.

There are many causes behind leg length problems. Some are:

A family history of the problem
Some form of trauma during the years that bones grow

At Nault Chiropractic in Worcester, Dr. Stephen J. Nault can help determine if you are suffering from pain caused by leg length issues. And we can help you combat this condition.

You may not even realize that leg length discrepancies are behind your pain and discomfort. So why not get checked out by trained professionals who are ready to help you?

Contact Nault Chiropractic in Worcester today!

Some leg length treatments are heel lifts, which can be inserted into shoes worn on the short leg foot. Many doctors have said the best treatment approach is to increase the amount of heel lifting gradually. Patients often begin using a 5 millimeter lift and increase height at one-week intervals.

Some other causes of leg discrepancy can include surgical procedures, joint replacements, exposure to radiation and tumors.

What Are Symptoms To Look For?

In many cases, patients do not display any symptoms before the ages of 25 to 35.

The most-seen symptom is long-term lower back pain, but middle and upper back pain can be present as well.

Repeated injuries or pain in the hip, knee or ankle can also indicate leg deficiency has been left untreated for too long. It also is common to have pain in the buttock, or radiating hip pain, that does not fade when lying down.

Can I Screen For Leg Length Problems At Home?

Yes. Here are some things you can do:

Look at yourself in a mirror: Are your shoulders and collarbone on the same level? Is one higher than the other?
Does your head tend to tilt to one side?
Does one of your kneecaps or hips appear to be higher than the other?
Do you often have dress pants hemmed by varying amounts on each side?
Do your skirts fall unevenly?
Has your podiatrist ever recommended that you purchase orthotics?
Have any massage therapists you have visited noticed that your muscles on one side are far tighter than on the other?
Look at the hard-soled shoes you wear. When turned upside down, does one shoe appear to be more worn than the other?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, leg length problems could be the root cause of painful symptoms.

Contact Nault Chiropractic today for more information or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Stephen J. Nault.