The Chippewa Chiropractic Clinic has been serving Beaver County, Pennsylvania since 1997 with the mission of providing exceptional healthcare delivered by compassionate people in a warm and friendly environment. Dr. Louis D’Amico, a chiropractor and pharmacist, has been studying ways to treat debilitating painful musculoskeletal conditions for 25 years. Dr. D’Amico began using Class 4 Laser Therapy in his office in 2015.

Sciatica can be a very painful and debilitating condition. By definition, it is an irritation of the sciatic nerve, which goes from the low back all the way down the leg to the foot. It is the longest nerve in the body. This condition can come on suddenly after a fall, trauma, or lifting injury. Most commonly sciatica gradually comes on overtime with increased frequency and intensity from poor posture, repetitive use, or poor lifting mechanics.
Since only about 20% of the United States population goes to a chiropractor, most people will visit their medical doctor or emergency room first, when they develop the symptoms of sciatica. The symptoms include pain in the back and buttocks (usually one side) that can radiate into the leg all the way to the foot. There could also be numbness and tingling as well. Most initial medical interventions involve medication, such as nonsteroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs, steroids, muscle relaxers, and opioid pain medications. The patient is usually sent home with these medication‘s with the hope that in the next 7 to 10 days the symptoms will subside. If they don’t, they are usually instructed to see in orthopedic doctor for further testing such as x-rays and MRI. Further medical interventions include a physical therapy referral, pain management, and possibly surgery. Unfortunately, most medical doctors and emergency room doctors will not refer their patients to a disc expert such as Dr. Louis D’Amico.

Dr. D’Amico teaches the course on spinal decompression and has helped over 500 doctors in the United States become spinal disc pain specialists. At The Chippewa Chiropractic Clinic, we will first determine the cause of the sciatica. After an extensive history and exam we determine if there are lifestyle issues that are causing the patient to be prone to this pain and movement disorders that damage the disc. We look at things like muscle imbalances which pull asymmetrically on the spine. We try to determine if the pain is caused by a possible bulging or herniated disc or an entrapment of the sciatic nerve in the piriformis muscle. This is sometimes referred to as a piriformis syndrome. And, of course, sometimes you could have both!

Once the cause of the sciatica pain is determined, we use various tools such as chiropractic manipulation to restore joint function, high power laser therapy to decrease pain and inflammation, decompression therapy to help heal a bulging or herniated disc, home exercises to restore balance and strength, and lifestyle modifications to decrease recurrence in the future. All this is done without the dangerous use of drugs or surgery.

If you were suffering from debilitating pain of sciatica, give the Chippewa Chiropractic Clinic a call at 724-843-7255 right away. The sooner we can start your care the faster you will heal.