As a chiropractor in Gilbert, I’m among a population of active and busy families. We get to see mothers, children, babies, grandmothers and dads all working and playing, doing as much as they can to enjoy their lives. So, it is always a treat when we can play some small part in another’s healing journey and help keep families healthy together. Here’s one of our favorites from the sciatica treatment category…
“I was referred to Dr. Mike Funicello after enduring excruciating pain for over seven months. I had already tried six different Dr.’s and while they were able to help me get to a certain level they were not able to get rid of my pain. I had suffered from a very bad fall and had injured the left side of my body and fractured two discs in my back. I was still suffering from Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome and bad spasms in my spine. I was not able to sit and walking was barely manageable. My life was barely tolerable because of the pain. For seven months, I had lived day to day on very strong pain pills and could barely manage to get our of bed, much less walk. This was not the way I wanted to live the rest of my life.
I have been in network care for two months and the changes have been amazing! I can now stand straight! I now can walk, I can sit and I can also lay down and be comfortable. While I still have a limited amount of pain and am still stiff and sore at times, I no longer have to take pain pills. Finally, I am able to get my life back on track. I am so much more aware of my body! I am so much more in tune to what my body is telling me and I am learning to listen to my body. I am so much more aware now of my body and how emotions and stress played a significant factor in my not being able to get rid of the pain.
My emotions have changed from a very negative out look to one of joy and happiness and contentment and I am looking forward to the future once again. My happy spirit is back once more and I can laugh, I can live each moment and enjoy my life for the first time in nine months without excruciating pain.
What I enjoy most about the Network Care at Infinite Healing Arts Center is that I am getting well! I am learning so much from Dr. Mike Funicello about how much body awareness plays a vital role in wellness. I am so grateful that he is so patient and so knowledgeable and so efficient and effective in his practice. His treatments have been so effective that I am now on the road to wellness. These treatments really do work.
I have come a long way from my very first visit that I had with Dr. Mike. When I went in I was so skeptical as to how he could help me in my condition; I could not grasp how the treatment could help me with my injuries and how he could possibly get rid of my pain. Two months later I am now a firm believer! Going to Dr. Mike has turned my life around! This has been and continues to be a life altering, positive experience for me.”
~Dorene R., Gilbert
]]>My reason for beginning Network Care was…
“My shoulders were so tight from stress and were curving in towards my chest. I had constant low back pain and pain and numbness in my legs.”
Since beginning Network Care (about 1 year ago), I’ve noticed these changes in my symptoms, my body and my life…
“I stand straighter. My shoulders are not as tight and are back. I have less pain in my back and legs.”
What I enjoy most and what I would like someone to know about Network Care at Infinite Healing Arts Center is…
“Dr. Mike is great to work with. I leave from his office very relaxed and feel good.”
~C.S., Queen Creek
]]>My reason for beginning Network Care was…
“I had a lot of pain in my hip and sciatic area after a fall from my horse. I also was experiencing some neck and lower back pain.”
Since beginning Network Care (3 months ago), I’ve noticed these changes in my symptoms, my body and my life…
“The pain in my hip and sciatica has almost completely disappeared. I’ve noticed my posture has improved and I’m much more aware of my body alignment in general.
I have been surprised at the difference I’ve seen in myself with regard to having more patience and in particular more compassion toward other people. I have told a few trusted friends of an abusive situation from my childhood that I’ve carried around for many years and never talked about. It helped to defuse the situation and I felt very freed from the burden of carrying it around inside myself.”
What I enjoy most about Network Care at Infinite Healing Arts Center is…
“The inner peace I have found and of course the freedom from the physical pain I was experiencing. The sessions feel very spiritual and are both physically and emotionally cleansing.”
~Kathy B., Gilbert
]]>In many cases of uncomplicated back pain, your body will recover and heal itself with little or no intervention. Taking it easy for a bit while your body heals is always a good idea. However, there are reasons to consult with a qualified health practitioner if you have back pain, too.
While there are serious reasons, like cancer and other systemic disorders, organ dysfunction and the like, it is more common to have a physical-related pain condition. That is to say, you can usually find back pain relief through some form of physical treatment of your body. So, while the treatment or care may be directed at the physical body, there are often other reasons or causes for how the pain shows up there. That is to say, back pain has many origins. This is why a workup or consultation with a health care practitioner is warranted. Your herniated disc symptoms can be differentiated from a more simple condition, with quicker recovery times in most cases.
This is a fairly straight forward condition. The piriformis muscle is located in the pelvic region attaching on the anterior aspect of your sacrum (a triangular shaped bone that sits between your two pelvic bones) and the upper part of your leg bone at the hip. This muscle is responsible for helping you twist or rotate your leg outward. Because of the anatomy of this area, your sciatic nerve actually sits just in front of (or below depending on how you visualize this image), it can be pinched by the muscle. This occurs when your muscle is in spasm or there is an otherwise compression of the sciatic nerve at the region of the piriformis.
This is also called an ‘entrapment syndrome’ of the sciatic nerve. Really, the only difference is in causation, where true sciatica is defined as symptoms from a herniated disc in the lower or lumbar spine. As mentioned, this can directly mimic sciatica, with pain, tingling or numbness in the gluteal region, down the leg and into the sole of your foot. Piriformis induced pain is often reported as a dull ache, deeper in the gluteal region that is worse with squatting, walking or sitting.
Because tightening or spasms of the piriformis muscle are at the root of the problem, stretching is often the best treatment. Massage and chiropractic care can be beneficial as they allow the pelvis and muscles to become more balanced, too. Many of the same sciatica treatment approaches are similar to that of the piriformis. If you’re looking for treatment and you think you may have piriformis syndrome, contact us at our Gilbert chiropractic office today. Best wishes!
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