Most people suffer from lower back pain at some point in their lifetime. But if it persists for a long time and becomes more painful and debilitation it can be sciatica. It can cause pain, tingling sensations or numbness and can restrict your ability to sit, walk or drive. While most lower back pain is not dangerous, it is a good idea to check if the pain is due to sciatica and get it treated. Read below to know more about this condition and how to manage it with chiropractic treatments. and chiropractor who treat scoliosis.
What is Sciatica?
It is the pain caused due to pinching or irritation to the sciatic nerve. It can happen to people between the age of 30 to 50. The sciatic nerve is the carrier of messages from the brain to the legs through the spinal cord. When this nerve is irritated, the pain radiates from the lower back to below the knee to the toes. The most common reason for sciatica is a herniated disc in the lower back. These discs are present between the bones in the spine when the outer layer of the disc suffers wear and tear due to pressure on the lower back, the jelly-like internal material comes out and pricks the nerve.
What causes Sciatica?
It is a symptom of a pinched nerve and can affect the lower spinal nerves. The pinching of the nerve can happen within the spinal canal or outside. Some of the conditions that can cause sciatica are:
- Spondylolisthesis: It is a condition when one of the vertebrae slips and gets misaligned with the vertebra above it. This slippage makes the opening through which the nerve exits narrow leading to symptoms.
- Piriformis syndrome: Piriformis is a small muscle that is in the deep of the buttocks. When this muscle becomes tight it can irritate the sciatic nerve or apply pressure on it.
- Spinal stenosis: It is the condition of the narrowing of the spinal canal due to pressure on the nerves.
- Slipped disc: It herniated or slipped disc leads to pressure on the sciatic nerve root. This is the most common cause of sciatica.
- Other causes: Some of the other causes for this condition are sleeping on soft mattresses, lack of regular exercise, being overweight or wearing high heels.
Symptoms of Sciatica
It usually affects only one side of the body and the pain travels from the lower back to the back of the thigh and to the legs. Some people find the pain to be severe while for others it is an irritant. Some of the main signs of this condition are:
- The compression or pinching of the sciatic nerve can result in paralysis of a limb or a group of muscles
- Pain in the buttocks or legs that gets worse when you sit
- Weak or numb legs with difficulty to move the foot
- Chronic pain on one side of the buttock
- Shooting pain in the leg making it difficult to stand up
Diagnosing Sciatica
Sciatica can be caused due to various reasons and hence it is important to know the cause of this condition as the first step. A thorough diagnosis which involves a detailed study of the medical history along with physical and neurological examination has to be conducted. X-Ray, MRI, CT scan and electrodiagnostic tests like EMG or NC have to be done to find out if contraindications to spinal adjustments.
Managing Sciatica with Chiropractic Treatment
The symptoms of sciatica can be managed well with the help of chiropractic treatment. The basis of this treatment is when the spinal movement is restricted, and the functioning reduces, proper treatment is provided. Chiropractors like https://www.alignmeridian.com/ believe that the body has the potential to heal itself without any drugs or surgery and the treatment is based on the same principle. But to get the best out of this treatment, it needs to be done by experts who are well-versed in this field of medicine.
There are various therapies that can be done for sciatica and the type depends on the cause. Sometimes the treatment plan involves multiple different therapies and is based on the diagnosis. Some of the therapies that are commonly done are as below:
Ice or heat therapy: Ice has been used to treat many painful conditions. Ice therapy is used when there is swelling accompanied by pain after an injury. Depending on the condition of the patient cold therapy is provided.
Ultrasound: A form of heat therapy, ultrasound through sound waves produces a gentle heat that reaches deep into the muscles. Heat therapy is used to help in improving the blood circulation and also to relax the muscles. It not only helps in reducing sciatic pain but also reduces cramping, spasms, swelling, and stiffness.
Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation: This is done using a TENS equipment which is a small battery-operated machine. It aids in stimulating the muscles and is portable. The larger versions of the same equipment are used by chiropractors while the smaller version is for home-use.
Spinal manipulation: This is the core treatment offered in chiropractic care. This therapy helps in making the spine move freely by adjusting it. It also helps in restoring the vertebras to their normal position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustments through manipulation also aid in reducing the irritability in the nerves. That results in reduced pain, spasm and inflammation. This therapy is not just effective and safe but not painful which is an added incentive for people who are already in pain.
Advantages of Chiropractic Treatment
- Drug-free relief: Pain relief medications are prescribed for sciatica but they have side-effects and also addictive. Chiropractic care ensures that the patient gets relief without the use of any medications and hence heals the body from within without just masking pain.
- Restores motion: Spinal adjustments can help in spine mobilization thereby restoring its range of motion.
- Reduces inflammation: Chiropractic care ensures that the pressure on the nerves is relieved and thus reduces inflammation and pain.
Chiropractors are specialists in musculoskeletal systems. They can treat pains and aches by building a customized plan along with strategies for improving the overall health in general. So consult a chiropractor to manage sciatica effectively.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
