The trauma sustained from the force of an impact during an
automobile accident frequently results in damage and symptoms that can be debilitating
and impairing. Various different types of injuries or conditions can occur from
the aftermath of an auto collision, however, back injuries are among the most
commonly reported complication among the affected individuals. In fact, auto
accidents are the leading cause of spinal injuries, accountable for more than
40 percent of spinal complications every year.
 |
| Share Free Ebook |
The spine is a complex structure surrounded by muscles,
tendons, ligaments and other types of tissues. Although it is designed to be
strong enough to support the weight of the head and hold the upright posture of
humans, the spine is not built to withstand the shock of an automobile
accident. The impact strains the muscles and ligaments in the back and the
facet joints frequently bear the brunt of the force. This can result in several
types of injuries, including whiplash, fractures and disc herniation. Among all
these injuries and conditions, sciatica is repeatedly diagnosed throughout many
accident cases.
Sciatica Caused by Herniated Discs
Sciatica is best described as a set of symptoms rather than
a single condition, characterized by radiating pain along the sciatic nerve,
the largest single nerve in the human body.
One of the most common causes of sciatica after an auto
accident is a herniated disc. The vertebral discs in the spine primarily
function as a shock absorber between each vertebra. The tough yet soft jelly-like
structure of the discs acts as a form of cartilaginous joint or cushion to
provide smooth mobility to the spine, also acting as ligaments to hold the
vertebrae of the spine together. Because the discs can absorb the majority of
the shock from any direct trauma to the spine, it is possible for a disc to
herniate during a car crash.
A herniated disc is identified when the structure ruptures
or breaks open, causing its soft center to push through the small crack in the
disc’s exterior, compressing and irritating the surrounding nerves. Some people may experience no symptoms while
others will generally describe arm or leg pain, depending on the location of
the herniated disc. Symptoms of sciatica, including weakness, numbness and
tingling sensations are usually experienced in the individual’s affected area
directly after the incident or several days, even weeks after the automobile
accident.
Sciatica is only a group of symptoms for another type of
injury or condition. The radiating pain associated with sciatica can interfere
with an individual’s ability to work and/or enjoy hobbies that one would
normally participate in. If a more severe injury or condition is causing
sciatica, it’s essential to seek immediate medical attention to properly
diagnose the root of the pain and discomfort in order to avoid developing
chronic symptoms in the future.
Chiropractic for Herniated Disc Symptoms & Sciatica
Chiropractic care is a non-surgical treatment option for a
variety of injuries and conditions, including herniated discs and sciatica. Foremost,
to treat sciatica, a chiropractor must first evaluate the cause of an
individual’s symptoms. In the presence of herniated discs, a chiropractor will
develop a treatment plan including spinal adjustments and manual manipulations
as well as other chiropractic techniques to ease the pain and discomfort.
Therapeutic exercises are often recommended together with chiropractic
treatment to speed up the rehabilitation process.
The flexion-distraction technique used by chiropractors for
herniated discs involves the use of a specialized table which gently stretches
the spine. This technique can help move the disc away from the nerve, reducing
inflammation of the nerve root, and eventually any symptoms or sciatica or associated
pain and inflammation into the leg.
Surgery is another treatment option available for treating
herniated discs, but as with any other type of injury or condition requiring
surgery, it’s crucial to first seek other forms of treatments which may alleviate
the symptoms and leave more invasive procedures like surgery as a last option. Chiropractic
care is an alternative treatment option that can be just as effective as
surgery, according to research.
Sciatica: Surgery or Chiropractic?
Improving Overall Health with Fitness: A Client’s Story
Dr. Alex Jimenez, DC, has helped many people with symptoms
of sciatica and other types of injuries or conditions as well as aided
individuals simply looking to improve their overall health by following a
healthier lifestyle through his chiropractic care and Push-as-Rx ®™ system. Priscilla
Sano arrived one day and that's all it took for her to realize, Push as Rx was
the place for her. Her exercise routines had not been consistent before but
CrossFit for her was a different experience that changed her view completely.
Push as Rx helped Priscilla Sano fall in love with her workouts. Priscilla can
count on the knowledge and experience of the trainers to continue showing her
the right path in fitness.
Dr. Alex Jimenez’s clinic and PUSH-as-Rx ®™ system is
leading the field with laser focus supporting our youth sport programs.
The PUSH-as-Rx ®™ System is a sport specific athletic program
designed by a strength-agility coach and physiology doctor with a combined 40
years of experience working with extreme athletes. At its core, the program is
the multidisciplinary study of reactive agility, body mechanics and extreme
motion dynamics. Through continuous and detailed assessments of the athletes in
motion and while under direct supervised stress loads, a clear quantitative
picture of body dynamics emerges. Exposure to the biomechanical vulnerabilities
are presented to our team. Immediately, we adjust our methods for
our athletes in order to optimize performance. This highly adaptive system
with continual dynamic adjustments has helped many of our athletes come
back faster, stronger, and ready post injury while safely minimizing recovery
times. Results demonstrate clear improved agility, speed, decreased reaction
time with greatly improved postural-torque mechanics. PUSH-as-Rx
®™ offers specialized extreme performance enhancements to our athletes no
matter the age.
By Dr. Alex Jimenez
