A 2011 case study sets a stunning example of the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic care when it comes to those who experience sciatica as well as other health conditions. Sciatica is a common cause of lower back pain involving irritation of the sciatic nerve which stems from the spinal cord and branches down each leg. If any of the nerve roots experience pressure, the result can be pain in the lower back and even through the buttock and down one or both legs.
The 45-year-old woman in the study was experiencing the following symptoms after being involved in multiple car accidents and other major traumas:
The patient was examined physically and by means of x-rays. These tests revealed a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. The patient subsequently had the misalignment corrected by means of 47 upper cervical chiropractic adjustment over the course of 17 months. What were the results?
The patient had been experiencing sciatica in both legs, had difficulty walking, and was on medication for the pain. By her first evaluation, she felt no more pain in her left leg. The right leg sciatica had improved by 60% allowing her to get off of the medication. Other symptoms, such as her fibromyalgia symptoms, had resolved as well.
This study shows the benefits of upper cervical care for those experiencing sciatica along with many other health issues.
Upper Cervical Care procedures such as NUCCA are focused on the alignment of the spine beginning with the head. Head and neck injuries will frequently lead to a misalignment in the upper neck where the spine and skull meet. This area is called the Atlas vertebrae and is crucial to the alignment of the rest of the spine.
As the atlas tilts or twists due to trauma the weight of the head shifts from center.
Once the weight of the head is not properly centered over the spine the rest of the spine will begin to compensate and twist and turn in order to adapt to the position of the head.
Eventually, this will lead to a tilting and twisting of the hips.
All of this tilting and twisting causes irritation to nerves including the sciatic nerve coming out of the lower back. This is frequently why sciatica can be so difficult to treat because of the symptoms being far away from the cause.
Injections, surgeries and other treatment modalities focused on the lower back will not be successful if the cause of the sciatica is a misalignment of the upper neck.
To have your entire spinal column alignment evaluated by a NUCCA practitioner trained in the detection and correction of upper neck misalignments please go to our Find a Doctor page to locate a doctor in your area.
Reference:
Alibhoy, Nimira. “Resolution of Fibromyalgia Following Upper Cervical Chiropractic Care: A Case Study” Accessed online: 30 June 2016.
