Dr. Chalfin helps patients from throughout the New York City region relieve the painful symptoms of sciatica using advanced techniques aimed at reducing nerve compression and restoring the healthy balance of the spine.
Sciatica refers to symptoms that occur when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed. The sciatic nerve runs from the low back down each leg. When it becomes irritated, symptoms like pain, aching, burning, numbness and weakness can develop along the nerve, all the way from the spine down one or both legs.
Sciatica often occurs as a result of standing or sitting for long periods of time, poor posture, heavy lifting or poor lifting technique, repetitive motion, age, weight gain or disc herniation. It can even be caused by sleeping on a mattress that's too soft or by carrying heavy bags like backpacks or messenger bags, and it often occurs during pregnancy as the growing belly presses against the spine. Sciatica symptoms develop when added strain causes the discs or other structures of the spine to become misaligned, resulting in pressure on the sciatic nerve where it exits the spinal column.
Sciatica requires a rebalancing of the spine to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve so symptoms can be resolved. After a comprehensive evaluation of your back and our symptoms to determine the factors that are contributing to sciatica symptoms, spinal adjustments help gently realign the spine so the sciatic nerve is not compressed. Manipulation of the soft tissues around the spine can also help promote circulation and relieve pain and other symptoms by restoring the normal nerve pathways between the brain and the sciatic nerve.
You can help maintain a healthy back and spine by staying active, practicing good posture when sitting or standing, investing in a supportive mattress, losing excess weight, and having regular chiropractic adjustments to help ensure your spine stays in proper alignment.