Question
QUESTION: Hi,

I have a herniated disk, L5/S1, and it is pressing on my Sciatic nerve causing pain and some numbness in my right foot.  Its been a week now, and the pain is only bad in the morning, but the numbness continues in my foot througout the day and night.  

I am concerned that this numbness may become permanent.  What can I do to minimize this risk?  Should I have surgery as soon as possible?  Is it possible that I have already waited too long?

Please advise!

ANSWER: If untreated, the problems can become permanent.  My strongest suggestion is to see a good chiropractor.  We treat without potentially harmful surgery and without missing any work.  Surgery should be the last resort.  But it problem could also be coming from somewhere else.  I have not been able to assess your specific situation, but I have treated other patients with similar complaints and what I have found is that the actual problem is a misalignment in the bony structures of the knee or ankle, especially since it is your foot only.  If it was true sciatic nerve compression, you would experience problems from your buttock down the entire leg.  Get a chiropractic exam, and mention the thing I have suggested.  If you don't know a chiropractor, go to www.sorsi.com to locate a doctor near you.  I am part of this organization and we tend to thing very similarly, so they will understand these suggestions.  I am in St. Paul, Minnesota and would be happy to see you.  If you have any other questions or concerns at any time, please email me.

Dr. Starbuck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Dr. Starbuck,

The diagnosis I provided you was not my guess.  I have MRI results clearly showing a herniated disk pressing on my sciatic nerve.  I have some discomfort in my buttock, but not really pain.  Anyway, knowing that this diagnosis has been confirmed, what do you recommend?  How would a chiropractor relieve the pressure on the nerve?

Thanks,
J

Answer
Chiropractors work on all the joints of the body, as well as the muscles which attach to bone, and if the muscles are in spasm it can alter the alignment of bone.  Medical doctors don't address these areas.  How a chiropractor relieves the pressure on the nerve is by realigning the vertebrae so that is straight, which in turn decreases the amount of pressure that is being placed on the nerve.  It is much easier to show in person than to describe it in writing.  If you are interested and don't want surgery, call a chiropractor and set up a consultation to talk to them about what they can specifically do.  

Dr. Starbuck