Elderly Care: Helping You Deal With the Dying Process
Got Sciatica Because Of A Herniated Disc? Tips For Reliving Your Pain
Julio Carr
If you have sciatica, you know how painful it can be. If you are having this problem because of a slipped or a herniated disc, sometimes called a bulging disc, you likely feel pain across your lower back, have leg cramps, and feel excruciating pain when you try to sit or stand. Even though you have received treatment from your doctor, you may still be feeling some pain. If so, below two ways you can help relieve it.
See a Chiropractor
A chiropractor can help relieve the pain of sciatica using spinal manipulations to improve your spinal mobility and function. A herniated disc bulges out and compresses the nerve in your lumbar spine, which is why you are feeling so much pain. The chiropractor will first evaluate you to come up with a treatment plan. Some of this plan may include spinal adjustments and exercises.
The chiropractor will also provide lifestyle counseling to help you make some adjustments. For example, they will tell you to lose weight if you are overweight. This is because this extra weight puts a load on your back. The chiropractor will also show you how to properly lift things and help you with your posture.
The chiropractor will gently adjust your lower spine at the site of the herniated disc. This combines moving your joints and massaging the area. They will apply pressure using their arms in a quick thrust to push the vertebrae. You will likely hear your back "pop" as your spine aligns and then immediately feel pain relief. Your chiropractor can go over exactly how they do this.
It is important that you speak with your medical doctor before visiting a chiropractor to ensure this treatment is safe for you.
See a Physical Therapist
Your doctor will likely send you to a physical therapist as part of your treatment plan. The physical therapist can use many different types of treatment to help you. This treatment may include core strengthening exercises, traction, mobilizations, and muscle energy techniques. The physical therapist will do an evaluation to help them determine the best treatment plan for you.
The therapist will teach you how to do exercises at home to strengthen your back muscles. This can help prevent a herniated disc in the future. You may need to see the physical therapist a few times or for several weeks, depending on your situation.
If you continue having pain from sciatica after these treatments, your doctor may suggest surgery. To learn more, contact a company like North Pole Chiropractic.
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As an elderly care worker, I have witnessed the deaths of many individuals. I have seen family members become angry, sad, and completely silent at the end. I have also seen individuals refuse to see family members out of denial. People deal with death in different ways, and the strong emotions are often unfamiliar and scary. If you have a parent or grandparent who is elderly, then I want to share with you what I know about end of life care and dying process. We are a society that does not talk about death, and this can cause great pain when a family member dies. Learn about the process and find out how to deal with your own emotions and how to love your family members at the end. If there is only a small amount of time left, then I want you to cherish the final moments.