Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Those who suffer from sciatica are all too familiar with the radiating pain associated with the condition. Even just walking, laying down, or sitting can trigger the painful sensation, making these simple tasks seem nearly impossible to do. Chiropractic care is a non-invasive solution that can effectively treat sciatic pain at the source of the condition for long-lasting relief. Through gentle manipulations and adjustments, a chiropractor can realign the areas of the body that are causing the sciatica pain, and get to the source of the issue for effective treatment.
How is Sciatica Caused?
Sciatica is caused by a pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs through the lower back into the hips, buttocks, and down through the legs. The radiating pain resulting from the pinched sciatic nerve can be mild to severe, and can worsen if left untreated.
There are a number of direct causes that can lead to a pinching or compression of the sciatic nerve, including:
- Injury or trauma
- Improper lifting technique
- Poor posture
- Age or wear-and-tear
- Prolonged sitting or standing
- Diabetes
- Degenerative disc disease
- Inflammation
- Arthritis
- Pregnancy
- Spinal stenosis
- Smoking
- Inactive lifestyle
- Overly active lifestyle
- Weak core strength
Chiropractic care works to directly treat the cause of your sciatica condition to bring relief straight to the source of your pain. Whether the sciatic nerve is being compressed due to a herniated disk or a bone spur, chiropractic adjustments can realign the spine and bring balance back into the body, relieving any tension or pain brought on by a pinched sciatic nerve.
Treat the Underlying Cause of Your Pain
When it comes to chiropractic care, treating the underlying cause of your pain is our top priority. Oftentimes, when patients come to their doctor complaining of pain, the first response is to prescribe medication to cover up the symptoms. While it may take away the pain temporarily, because the medication is not treating the direct cause of the pain (the herniated disc, slipped disc, or other common cause), the sciatica persists and even worsens over time since it is never properly addressed.
Alternatively, surgery may be recommended to those who have severe sciatica pain. This can come along with side effects and complications, opening the patient up to the risk of infection during or after treatment. Also, surgery often comes with a lengthy amount of recovery time, leaving you potentially bedridden for weeks.
Chiropractic care is an in-and-out treatment that is effective and typically causes no discomfort. The most you may experience during an adjustment will be a cracking or popping noise or sensation that is merely an indicator of gas being released in the spinal fluid.
What Can You Expect at Your First Chiropractic Appointment?
At your first chiropractic appointment, the chiropractor will ask you questions about your health history and daily habits. Then, they will analyze you and note any areas that may need an adjustment or tension release. They use specialized techniques to perform these manual manipulations, such as maneuvering the body to relieve tension or utilizing a short lever thrust or other tool.
The sooner you confront your sciatica, the better. If left unaddressed, sciatica can worsen over time until it becomes a chronic and extremely severe condition. Chiropractic adjustments are an effective, non-surgical treatment option that can realign the vertebrae in the spine, bringing the body back into balance and relieving the radiating pain associated with a sciatic condition.
To learn more about how chiropractic care can help treat sciatica pain, call our clinic today.
