Last month I met a new patient, an active 55 year old man (like me). For 3 months he was experiencing electric like pains in his left leg from just below his knee to the ankle. The electric sensation was random, but happened more frequently when he sat or was sedentary. Otherwise he said he had no other health problems and was fit from a consistent exercise program. Prior to his appointment, he had tried a few other types of medical treatment without benefit.
His exam demonstrated very restricted low back (lumbar) range of motion, especially in extension. All his reflexes and sensations were normal. The only other positive finding was sciatic nerve entrapment which was revealed doing a functional stress test. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It starts in the brain, travels down the spinal cord, exits your spine form 5 levels in the low back and sacral area, forms a plexus (or bundle) that is as thick as your thumb as it goes through your butt (more specifically under the piriformis muscle) and then goes all the way down your leg to the toes..
Based on his age, poor lumbar range of motion and sciatic nerve entrapment I took x-rays of his low back. There was a left lumbar curvature and significant arthritic changes in the last 3 levels of his low back. I explained to him that his electric leg pain was most likely caused by an entrapment of his sciatic nerve, but there was significant history of low back dysfunction as evidenced by his degenerative joint disease, or arthritis, in the low back. He had been loosing range of motion so slowly that he didn’t even realize it until the bodied cried out in pain. That’s what pain is. It’s like the idiot light on your dashboard. The oil has to go below a certain level before the light goes on. The body works in a similar way. Depending upon which type of nerve is affected depends on the type of symptom you experience.
I recommended a course of chiropractic treatment to relieve pain, which I told him would be the easy part. The more challenging part of care was the rehabilitation, the rebuilding, the part where we restore the function of his spine, lengthen and improve the strength and imbalances of the little muscles along his spine and the larger stabilizing muscles.
His treatment would include manipulation, Active Release Technique ® to free the entrapped nerve and break down adhesion s in the muscles, followed by stretching then strengthening exercises.
After 2 treatments the electric pain sensations were almost 100% gone. By the 3rd visit he commented on how much more motion he had in his spine. You lose range of motion so slowly that you don’t’ even realize it. Once it starts coming back you realize very quickly what you were missing.
2 months later after starting care he reported that he was able to ski 3 days in a row and had no pain what-so-ever!!! Historically he would feel sore and stiff for days after skiing, or any strenuous work-outs. He thought that pain after exercise was normal. Now he knows better and is looking forward to continued progress with his chiropractic care.
Arthritis isn’t reversible, but it doesn’t mean you are doomed. Regular chiropractic care can slow down, or arrest, the progression of arthritis. Like taking a rusty hinge that is stuck in one position, you can soak it in oil and slowly play with it until motion is restored. You can do the same with an arthritic joint. It doesn’t happen overnight. But with consistent treatment over a period of time arthritic jointed can function again.
The take away from this patient’s experience is that prevention is the key. Hopefully you get your teeth cleaned and checked by your dentist twice a year to prevent tooth decay. You get your cars’ oil changed and wheels aligned to protect your investment. You need to do the same for your spine. Worst case scenario you can get dentures, or get a new car. You only get one spine. Take care of it!!!
So with Spring approaching, now is a great time to schedule a spinal tune-up. If you have never had chiropractic care; call today and get the most thorough functional examination you have ever experienced. After your exam we’ll sit down and discuss the “State-of Your Spine” and provide a written report with specific treatment recommendations, if appropriate. Don’t wait until you blow a gasket. Call today! If you have any questions about your health, please email me at [email protected]