Sciatica pain is a common problem among about 40% of Canadians. It is characterized by a sharp, shooting pain that runs down from your lower back to your toes. The pain may resolve on its own if mild. However, it is recommended to get treatment if the pain persists or doesn’t let you perform daily activities. Chiropractic care is one of the safest and most natural treatments for the condition. It helps relieve the pain without depending on pain meds or surgery. So, let’s dig a little deeper into whether you should see a chiropractor for sciatica pain relief or not.
Also Read: What are the Long-Term Benefits of Chiropractic Care?
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sciatica is the longest nerve in our body. It travels down the hips to the toes. The nerve gets painful if it is pinched due to conditions like a trapped nerve, Piriformis syndrome or disc herniation. The symptoms include:
- Shooting pain in the leg, especially while sitting
- Burning sensation down the leg
- Numbness in the entire foot or while moving the foot
- Consistent pain in the lower back
- Difficulty in standing up
Chiropractic treatments focus on relieving the symptoms naturally and gently. It does so using manual manipulation techniques and stimulating the natural healing abilities of your body.
Should You Trust a Chiropractor for Sciatica Pain Relief?
Chiropractic treatments are based on the concept that poor spinal health can cause pain and discomfort. In the case of sciatica, the chiropractors evaluate your symptoms, lifestyle and medical history to detect the exact cause of the pain. They then prescribe an accurate treatment plan accordingly. The treatments usually consist of:
Massage therapy
Chiropractors may recommend massage therapy to release the pressure from your nerves and bring you comfort. They use deep muscle relaxation techniques to ease and heal the sciatic nerve. Therapeutic massages help release endorphins, which also act as natural painkillers.
Chiropractic adjustments
Adjustments are the most common form of chiropractic treatment for sciatica pain relief. The chiropractor manipulates the spinal alignment to take pressure off the affected nerve. They may use gentle pressure or a quick high-velocity thrust to fix the misaligned vertebral discs. The adjustments focus on moving the lower back vertebral gently. This lifts a lot of pressure off the sciatic nerve. And once that happens, the nerve restores its optimal signal flow and mobility. The manipulations also relax muscle spasms associated with this condition.
Also Read: What You Should Do After First Chiropractic Adjustment?
Chiropractic exercises
Chiropractic exercises help ease the damaged sciatic nerve. It prevents the condition from worsening. Muscles often are inflamed around the pinched sciatic nerve. The exercises help reduce the inflammation as well. You can perform some of the exercises at home on your own once you have achieved optimal mobility.
Spinal decompression
Spinal disks are cushions located between the bones in the spine. These disks may dry out with time which in turn ends up pinching nerves. Chiropractors use gentle manual force to take pressure off the disks and other spinal structures. The decompression allows oxygen, nutrient-rich fluids and water to enter the disks and heal them.
All these treatments are non-invasive and natural. Chiropractic treatments help relieve your sciatica pain through manual manipulation techniques. Thus, you don’t have to rely on pain meds or opt for surgery. Make sure you get the treatment as soon as you feel the symptoms.
Also Read: Top Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Office Workers
