If you are experiencing a sharp, shooting pain that starts in your lower back and radiates down through your hip and into your leg, you are likely dealing with sciatica. This condition occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body, becomes compressed or irritated. At Big Island Chiropractic, Dr. Tod Ichishita, DC, provides specialized care to help residents of Kailua Kona find lasting relief from this debilitating discomfort.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is not a medical diagnosis in itself, but rather a symptom of another issue. Often, a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal misalignment (subluxation) puts pressure on the nerve roots in the lumbar spine. This can cause unpleasant sensations, including:
- Burning or searing pain in the leg or buttock.
- Numbness or tingling (pins and needles) in the foot or toes.
- Weakness when trying to move the leg or foot.
- Constant pain on one side of the lower body that gets worse while sitting.
Our Approach to Sciatic Relief
Dr. Ichishita provides a combination of conservative, non-invasive treatments at our Kailua Kona, HI, office to reduce nerve pressure and restore proper spinal function. By relieving the cause of the nerve irritation rather than just masking the symptoms, we help your body heal naturally.
Chiropractic Adjustments The foundation of our sciatica care is the chiropractic adjustment. Dr. Ichishita performs precise spinal manipulations to realign the vertebrae in the lower back. This helps move the disc material away from the nerve, reducing inflammation and restoring mobility to the affected joints.
Traction on an Inversion Table To further decompress the spine, we offer traction therapy using an inversion table. This process uses gravity to open space between the vertebrae. By gently stretching the spine, we can alleviate the "pinched" feeling on the sciatic nerve, allowing for increased blood flow and nutrient exchange to the damaged discs.
Therapeutic Exercise Healing continues outside of the adjustment room. Dr. Ichishita prescribes specific therapeutic exercises to strengthen the supporting muscles of the core and lower back. These movements are designed to improve flexibility and stabilize the spine, preventing future flare-ups of sciatic pain.
Schedule Your Consultation
You don't have to endure the limitation and pain of sciatica. Whether your symptoms just started or you have been struggling with chronic leg pain for years, Dr. Tod Ichishita, DC, is here to help you get back to the activities you love on the Big Island. To schedule a consultation and learn how chiropractic care can help you, call (808) 327-9845.