We’ve all heard the term “sciatica.” Anyone who has had it knows that it is one of the most painful conditions to experience. This article will describe sciatica, its cause, and a gentle and safe form of treatment that allows you to avoid back surgery.
Strictly speaking, sciatica involves the pinching of the sciatic nerve. Five smaller nerves leave the lower spine and join to form the sciatic nerve. It is the largest nerve in the body (about the size of a finger) and also the longest nerve in the body, with fibers running from the lower back to the toes. Sciatic nerve pain is called “sciatica.”
Sciatica is often caused by a problem with an intervertebral disc in the lower back. These discs can bulge, herniate, rupture, or bulge backwards and come into contact with smaller nerves or the sciatic nerve itself. Symptoms of sciatica include pain in the lower back, pain in the buttocks, and pain in the side or back of the thigh, calf, and foot. Numbness and tingling may also occur in the lower extremity.
Diagnosis of sciatica begins with a doctor taking a history and performing a physical exam. X-rays and possibly MRIs are usually obtained. Treatment can take many routes, but seeing a chiropractor for care is a non-surgical, drug-free approach that many will follow.
Chiropractors treat sciatica by looking for the cause of the problem. As noted above, the spinal discs are involved. They are usually compressed and put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Therefore, a common form of treatment used by chiropractors is traction to decompress intravertebral discs. Other conservative treatment modalities may involve the use of cold packs to decrease inflammation, electrical muscle stimulation to relax muscles in spasm, and gentle chiropractic manipulations to realign malpositions of the spine and pelvis.
Chiropractors can also apply deep pressure, trigger point therapy, to the muscles in the hip area and along the lower spine.
Lifestyle recommendations and home exercises can be an important part of healing. Since a disc problem that causes sciatica is often worse in the morning, it is important that patients start the day slowly with a very light warm-up routine. Those who suffer from sciatica find that allowing their back to warm up makes the rest of the day much easier.
Chiropractic care for sciatica generally takes several weeks to several months in duration. Since the cause of the problem originates in the lower back, any discomfort that travels down the leg is called radiating pain. During the course of healing, most patients will begin to see a decrease in leg pain. This is a positive sign and it is usually just a matter of time and treatment before the pain is completely gone.
The good news is that for more than 125 years, chiropractors have been helping patients heal from sciatica. Consult with your chiropractor first before opting for surgery. Safe and gentle chiropractic care for sciatic nerve pain relief is, for many, the best approach
