Have you ever experienced sciatica? Where the pain seems to radiate down your leg to your foot, the medical term for this is actually “radiculitis”. It may not be the most common nerve pain, but it causes extreme pain and discomfort for those that experience it.
Radiating pain is actually caused when a nerve or nerve root is experiencing pressure, whether it’s a result of spinal subluxation or from inflammation. An example is a herniated disk. This creates a radiating pain because it has bulged out of its normal place and may be exerting pressure on a nerve root extending from the spinal cord.
You May Not Have Radiating Pain…
The nerves that run the length of the spinal cord from neck to tailbone and branch out to the left and right are called the radicular nerves. When these are injured or compressed they are more likely to radiate pain than the other types of nerves in our body. If there is a neck injury, for example, pain may radiate down the arm to the fingertips. Some people may think that are experiencing radiating pain, but the pain is more often than not just due to myofascial trigger points that cause a more diffuse pain that seems to radiate out from one area. This is caused by muscles that are too tense and scar tissue that has built up trapping nerves in the muscles, tendons and ligaments.
Active Release Technique (ART)
A chiropractic adjustment can address any spinal misalignments that may be impinging on spinal nerves, helping to take the pressure off the nerve and thus reducing pain. In addition, many chiropractors tend to use additional therapies that can help to free trapped nerves, such as the Active Release Technique (ART).
If you are suffering from radiating pain don’t hesitate to visit your chiropractor. They will be able to correct any spinal subluxations that may have appeared and help to relieve your radiating pain. Regular chiropractic adjustments will help to correct the alignment of your spine and help your body to function at its’ optimum level.
For Wellness,
Dr. Shannan McCormick