I recently shared information on social media on a few signs that you may need to see a chiropractor. Things like trouble getting out of bed in the morning, having several “random” aches and pains, and not sleeping well, to name a few. I wanted to share a few other symptoms that could also point to your need to see a chiropractor.

Sciatica

Different people define sciatica in different ways. To some it means any leg pain, to others it means pain in the upper gluteal region, and to others yet it may even mean low back pain. Actual sciatica is caused by pressure on some part of the sciatic nerve, which results in leg pain. The actual pressure is typically in either one of two places: the nerve root right where it leaves the spinal cord, or in the gluteal muscles where muscle tension can pinch or compress the sciatic nerve. Early on it may present with little or no leg pain, but it doesn’t take long for the nerve compression to results in some pretty intense pain. The pain goes down the back of the leg, is usually one-sided, and is typically worse when walking.

Sciatica is one thing that responds really well to chiropractic care. Chiropractic adjustments are the quickest, easiest, and most cost-effective way to fix sciatica. Recent research shows that if you consult a medical doctor first—especially an orthopedic surgeon—you are much more likely to end up choosing surgery and much more likely to be prescribed oxycontin for your pain. There are times when surgery and medications are needed, but they should never be the place to start. If you start with a chiropractor, they will know if you need a referral to a surgeon. But if you start with a chiropractor, oftentimes the sciatica can be corrected without drugs or surgery at all.

Carpal Tunnel

This is another thing that can be described differently by different people. To some, carpal tunnel is any pain in the hands. To others, it means numbness and tingling anywhere in the arm. Actually, carpal tunnel is identified by numbness and tingling—sometimes with pain, too—in the first three fingers of the hand. If the numbness goes above the wrist, that’s one sign that you’re not actually dealing with carpal tunnel. If it involves the whole arm, then it is definitely a nerve root problem stemming from the spine. The most common presentation is when there is more than one compression site, such as the wrist and the neck, or the neck and the shoulder. This is called double crush syndrome and is one occasion when a chiropractor is the best doctor for the case. It’s also the most common reason for failure of carpal tunnel surgery, because the surgery only corrects the blockage of nerve flow, and not the origin of it.

Neuropathy

What about other areas of numbness and tingling? The feet are a common one, and so is the outside of the leg. Even the scalp can have numbness and tingling. Whenever you feel this symptom, think of your nerves. And whenever you think of nerves, think of your chiropractor. Numbness and tingling are the most common signs of nerve root compression, and chiropractors are the best at fixing that.

There can be other cases of neuropathy. Chemotherapy can cause neuropathy, and that one is a tough one to deal with. A vitamin B12 deficiency can also cause neuropathy, and that is one of the easier fixes. When you see a chiropractor and use vitamins and supplements, such as alpha lipoic acid, this can do a world of good for most neuropathy cases.

Vertigo

Vertigo, or dizziness, is another symptom that can indicate the need for a chiropractor. Correcting subluxations, or misalignments of the vertebrae, through chiropractic adjustments in this area can often resolve the vertigo. Sometimes a technique called the Epley maneuver is needed, and most chiropractors are well-versed in this technique.

On the other hand, medications can cause vertigo as a side effect. If you inject lidocaine in the posterior joints of the upper neck, for example, you’ll likely get instant and intense vertigo. An emerging problem, especially amongst senior citizens, is dizziness caused by overmedication of blood pressure medications. A lower blood pressure is a good thing, but you actually can have blood pressure be driven too low. This will often cause dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, and brain fog.

When you understand that chiropractors are for more than just back and neck pain, and our expertise goes way further than just the spine and bones, you begin to understand that we are more like functional neurologists who choose natural methods to improve your nervous system and its function. These methods will make you healthier, more resilient, and feel more alive.

The above are just a few examples of things people are often surprised to hear that they can see a chiropractor for. If you’re looking for a natural way to heal your pain, alleviate uncomfortable physical symptoms, or just feel better overall, choose natural. If you’re not sure we can help with your symptoms, talk to us! We’ll be happy to help you in any way that we can, yet refer you elsewhere if needed.

Dr. Burtis, D.C., M.S., CFMP, DACBN, has been providing natural healthcare to the Fairmont area at Burtis Chiropractic Center for over 35 years. He uses a combination of chiropractic, nutrition, and functional medicine to help individuals restore and maintain health and healing through individualized care plans. The mission of Burtis Chiropractic Center is to provide transformational healthcare that takes an individual’s life to the next level. We strive to be a solution for families to experience transformational healthcare and help create vibrant and resilient lifestyles that can be passed to future generations.