If you experience a piercing, shooting pain going from the lower back to the legs, you could be having sciatica. The sciatic is the longest nerve in the human body, running from the lower back to the toes.
The nerve can sometimes experience pain from disc herniation, a trapped nerve, or other conditions. Doctors can treat sciatica in different ways. You can understand how chiropractic adjustments can treat sciatica.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a relatively common condition that affects a patient’s lower back. The condition causes pain that runs along the sciatic nerve. The path begins in the lower back and extends down the hip, the buttocks, down the leg, and to the foot. In most cases, the pain affects only one side.
Sciatica usually occurs when the patient has a spinal condition such as spinal stenosis that compresses the nerve. Sciatica pain can be severe, but in most cases, doctors can solve it without surgery. Surgery is the best option if the patient has extreme leg weakness.
Symptoms Of Sciatica
People usually experience sciatica in the leg. The most common symptom of the condition is leg pain that grows worse when sitting. Other symptoms are:
- A burning or tingling sensation traveling down the leg.
- Weakness or numbness in the leg.
- Difficulties moving the entire leg or the foot.
- Consistent lower back pain.
- Intolerable or intense pain that makes it difficult to stand.
Getting Chiropractic Treatment
Sciatica can be debilitating for most patients. Fortunately, chiropractic treatment can help relieve the pain, and it does so naturally and gently. The care involves treating the pain without the harmful side effects associated with traditional treatments.
Chiropractic treatment demonstrates that when there is a restriction in spinal movement, it can cause pain and reduced function. If you experience sciatic pain, the chiropractor can help determine the cause. The effective treatment is non-invasive and drug-free.
Chiropractic Adjustments For Sciatica
A chiropractor can use chiropractic adjustments or spinal manipulations to treat sciatica. The manipulation helps restore the herniated disk to its position, taking pressure off the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic adjustments also help free spinal movement and restore misaligned discs.
The chiropractic technique varies from quick, high-velocity thrusts to gentle pressure and minimal force. The chiropractor gently moves the vertebrae to release pressure on the sciatic nerve. Apart from reducing pain, the treatment helps restore mobility and nerve signal flow.
Chiropractic Massage Therapy
Chiropractic massage therapy can help relieve sciatic pain. Massage therapy can help release endorphins and induce deep muscle relaxation. Endorphins work as natural painkillers. Unlike a regular spa massage, a chiropractic massage is for healing sciatica.
Chiropractors use their knowledge of the body and the musculoskeletal system to apply pressure in the right places. This helps kick off the healing process. Chiropractors can use other techniques to treat sciatica. The techniques include heat and cold therapy, ultrasound, spinal decompression, and chiropractic exercises.
For more on chiropractic adjustments and sciatica, visit Auburn Hills Chiropractic and Rehabilitation. Our office is in Wichita, Kansas. You can call (316) 721-2220 today to schedule an appointment.