Sciatica

Sciatica or Pinched Nerve Treatment: Have You Considered Seeing A Chiropractor?

If you've ever had or are currently suffering from Sciatica, Neuropathy, or a Pinched Nerve you know how irritating and ultimately incapacitating it can be. Sciatica is a broad term for a condition of the sciatic nerve, a big nerve (the largest in the body) that originates in the lower spinal cord. The sciatic nerve runs down the lower back, down each hip, through both legs, and eventually terminates in the foot. Sciatica symptoms can be felt anywhere along the nerve. Sciatica seldom occurs as a result of a single incident, but rather develops gradually over time.

There are several signs that you may need sciatica treatment, including pain that is usually single-sided in the buttock or leg, symptoms that are worse while sitting, pain that is severe, searing, or shooting, tingling, numbness, or weakness, and trouble walking or moving your feet.

MAJOR CAUSES OF SCIATICA

Sciatica could be caused by lumbar disc bulging and/or herniation, spinal arthritis and degenerative diseases, spondylolithesis, spinal stenosis, myofascial dysfunction, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. While they are not the sole reasons of sciatica, they are the most commonly observed in the population.

SCIATICA TREATMENT OPTIONS

Depending on the source of your Sciatica, there are a variety of treatments that may be employed to help reduce pain, improve overall function, and improve mobility and lower back strength. Some of these methods are detailed more below.

 

CHIROPRACTIC


Specific manual adjustments (spinal manipulation) are made to constrained joints during spinal manipulation for back pain and sciatica pain in order to enhance total joint alignment, flexibility, and movement as well as to reduce pain and pressure on the nerve.

 

Joint mobilisation is for those who dislike manual adjustment or during acute episodes of pain where, joint mobilisation is a more gentle therapy that is frequently employed.

 

Flexion-distraction  and traction therapy as a sort of joint mobilisation that gently stretches the spine's joints, flexion-distraction and traction treatment is a particularly useful method for lumbar disc issues, nerve pressure, sciatica and sciatic-like disorders, and other joint-related conditions.

 

Postural correction & core strengthening exercises are two activities that can help with musculoskeletal issues that are underlying, with your chiropractor being able to subscribe, monitor and tailor those exercises for each individual patient.

 

Flexibility exercises & stretches are an excellent way to improve overall flexibility, release tension and support mobility. Most exercises and stretches are tailored to busy modern lives and easily integrate into your daily routine.

 

Activator Technique or Impulse Mobilisation Therapy (hand-held instruments) is used to facilitate improved joint mobility and is appropriate for all persons and levels of severity.

 

SOT pelvic blocking (mobilisation of pelvic joints) to promote pelvic and sacral joint mobility

 

 

 

MASSAGE THERAPY & MYOTHERAPY


Certain myotherapy and remedial massage techniques may be required to aid healing and rehabilitation depending on the particular cause of your back pain. Practitioners use a range of treatments, including effleurage, trigger point therapy, cupping, ischemic compression, and others such as Dry Needling, to relieve muscular and soft tissue spasm and, of course, pain.

 

 

EXERCISE & PHYSIOTHERAPY


Stretching and active muscle releasing techniques can improve posture, reduce muscular tension, and thereby help sciatic nerve problems.

 

For more information on Disc Bulge and Herniation

Sciatica and Chiropractic Treatment

Patients suffering lumbar disc herniation managed via Chiropractic spinal manipulative therapy demonstrated clinically significant improvements. Leemann, S et al. (2014). Outcomes of acute and chronic patients with magnetic resonance imaging – confirmed symptomatic lumbar disc herniations receiving high velocity-low amplitude spinal manipulative therapy: A prospective observational cohort study with one year follow up. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 37 (3); 155 – 163

 

Chiropractic appears to be an effective sciatica treatment method. Assendelft, W et al. (1992). The efficacy of Chiropractic manipulation for back pain: Blinded review of relevant randomized clinical trials. Journal of Manipulative & Physiological Therapeutics, 15(8); 487 – 494

Looking for relief of sciatica pain or pinched nerve?

Want to try chiropractic care for yourself?

Call us today or book online for your assessment.

 

Looking for relief of Sciatica or Nerve Pain? Want to try chiropractic care for yourself?

Call us today for your assessment. Click here to Contact Us