What is Sciatica?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerves are irritated or compressed by nearby tissue. The most common cause is a bulging or herniated disc that is being pushed out from its normal location. It should be noted that sciatica often results in leg pain; this leads many patients to mistakenly think that the issue originates in the legs themselves. That’s why it’s so important to get in touch with our practice as soon as possible so that we can narrow down the actual source of the discomfort.

Who is at Risk for Sciatica?

One of the biggest risks for sciatica is spending a good deal of your time sitting down. This might include working at your computer, driving, or simply lounging about. However, while people with sedentary lifestyles are more likely to suffer from sciatica, even active people can develop the condition, especially if they participate in an activity that involves twisting their backs or carrying a large amount of weight. Sometimes sciatica will resolve on its own in just a few weeks, but in other cases therapy plans will be required.

How Can Sciatica Be Treated?

Spinal decompression is generally a good way to relieve the pain that’s associated with sciatica. The act of decompressing the discs that are pushing on the nerves, we can stop the pressure along with the pain. Other forms of treatment might be recommended depending on your case, and you might also need to undergo at-home treatments (such as certain stretching exercises). Some sciatica will go away on its own within a few weeks, but you should take the initiative in seeking care if the pain becomes severe.

What is Erectile Dysfunction?

Erectile dysfunction is a condition that prevents men from getting erections. Normally, an erection occurs when the senses register some form of sexual stimulation. The muscles of the penis relax and increase blood flow to the area; the blood pushes then against the veins carrying the blood out and blocks them. However, if the flow of blood in the body is being disrupted or hindered in any way, then this process can’t take place, resulting in erectile dysfunction. Thus, men suffering from this condition are typically also experiencing problems with veins and nerves elsewhere in their bodies.

What Can Cause Erectile Dysfunction?

There are many potential underlying reasons for erectile dysfunction. In many cases, the problem might be connected to back issues and other chiropractic problems. Examples of back pain that might also tie into erectile dysfunction include:

• Herniated Discs: The vertebrae in your spine are separated by rubbery cushions called discs. If a disc becomes herniated, it can result in significant back pain. Additionally, the now out-of-place disc can compress nearby nerves and veins, thus cutting off blood flow to the pelvic region.
• Pinched Nerves: Inflammation in the lower spine (which is a common source of lower back pain) can compress the pudendal nerve that allows sensations to be felt in the lower genitalia. Erectile dysfunction is a common consequence of damage to the pudendal nerve.
• Tight Hip Flexors: The hip flexors run from the low back spine, through the groin, and into your hip. If they become compressed, various tendons, joints, and muscles can be pulled the wrong way, resulting in back pain, erectile dysfunction, and various other uncomfortable symptoms.

Potential Treatment Options

Different forms of back pain require different forms of treatment. By successfully addressing the underlying cause of the discomfort, we may also help you overcome your erectile dysfunction. Spinal decompression – a noninvasive treatment that gently stretches the spine to take pressure off nearby nerves and discs – can be used to relieve various types of back pain. We might also use an MLS robotic laser to stimulate the body’s natural healing processes so that damaged nerves can recover. At, The Spine & Disc Center we provide the most advanced natural pain relief therapy specifically for each patient’s condition and symptom presentations.