We all know that chiropractors can perform spinal adjustments to help relieve pain and improve mobility and athletic performance. But in reality, that’s only the tip of the iceberg for what professional chiropractors can do. These healthcare specialists are trained in treating a variety of health conditions. Regular chiropractic care can also boost your overall fitness levels and help prevent future injuries.
While most people may not realize it, chiropractic treatment for sciatica is a common and effective form of treatment to help relieve sciatica pain. As a safe and holistic approach to care, chiropractic care can also help patients avoid surgeries or medications that can have potentially harmful side effects. Chiropractic care works to relieve the pain caused by sciatica and can improve your overall wellness. Here, we’re taking a look at sciatica pain and how chiropractors can help to treat this painful condition.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a health condition that causes pain to emanate from the sciatic nerve. This nerve runs from the lower back down through the hips and the legs. When this nerve becomes pinched or compressed, intense pain can radiate from the nerve and spread out through the lower half of the body along the sciatic nerve. This health condition can also cause inflammation or a feeling of numbness in the hips and legs. While not life-threatening, sciatica pain can be very painful and make your daily tasks a challenge.
What does sciatica pain feel like?
Sciatica is characterised by a mild to intense pain that starts in the lower back and then radiates through the buttocks and down the legs. Sciatica pain may be experienced in both legs or just one. This pain is the primary symptom for those experiencing sciatica.
But what exactly does this condition feel like? Sciatica pain ranges from a mild annoyance and irritation to excruciating pain that can make your normal activities practically impossible. Sciatica commonly feels like a mild, dull ache or almost like an electrical shock. For some, it can also feel like a moderate burning sensation. Sciatica pain may also be associated with tingling in the lower extremities, muscles weakness, or numbness in the affected region.
Can chiropractic care treat sciatica pain?
We all know that a chiropractor’s office is the place to go if you’re experiencing chronic back pain or limited mobility. But did you know that they can offer so much more? Many patients are surprised that chiropractic care can be an effective method for treating sciatica pain. Chiropractic care is effective for a range of musculoskeletal injuries and ailments and can assist with any issues affecting the body’s nervous system. Since this type of pain stems from the sciatica nerve, a chiropractor can help.
But how does this work exactly? Primarily, chiropractors specialize in chiropractic adjustments where they reset the spine into its proper musculoskeletal positioning. When this happens, a range of health benefits can be experienced, including reduced pain and better posture. Since the body is so interconnected, when you treat one aspect, the rest of your body can also benefit. Many chiropractor offices also offer additional types of treatment, such as massage therapy and hot and cold therapy. Both of these treatment methods have been proven to help those suffering from chronic sciatica pain.
Is sciatica preventable?
Before you ever even need to visit a chiropractor for treating sciatica pain, there are ways you can work to prevent this health condition from developing. Even better, these methods also stand to improve your overall health and help you to fight off all sorts of detrimental health problems. With just a little bit of work each day, you can prevent sciatica pain.
Here are three methods that can help you prevent the development of sciatica pain:
- Regular exercise. Regular exercise can do wonders for all aspects of your health. Light to moderate exercise on a daily basis can strengthen your muscles and bones, improve joint mobility, boost cardiovascular health, and even improve your mood and mental health. Additionally, this can also help prevent sciatica. Over time, obesity and excess weight can add pressure to the sciatic nerve, which leads to this pain.
- Ensure good posture. Throughout your day, make good posture a focal point wherever you are. Whether you’re sitting, standing, or even lying down at night, focus on keeping your posture straight to avoid additional pressure that could strain your lower back. Good posture is also beneficial for your muscles and spine.
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle. Sitting for long periods of time, which many of us do for our jobs, can put a strain on your back and lead to a whole list of health issues over time. Even if you’re tied to a desk for your work, try to get up and move around for even just short increments of your day. Taking just 5 to 10 minutes out of every hour or two to get up, take short walk, or even just stand while you work can make a positive impact on your overall health and wellness.
Takeaway: does chiropractic care help with sciatica pain?
If you feel a constant pain originating in your lower back and running down your buttocks and legs, you may be experiencing sciatica pain. This common health problem is caused when the sciatic nerve is pinched or compressed, leading to mild or intense pain. While this is not a critical, life-threatening health condition, sciatica pain can severely affect the quality of your everyday life and make daily tasks much more challenging.
Luckily, there are treatment options available for those living with sciatica pain. One of the most effective – and safest – treatments is by receiving chiropractic care. A chiropractor’s office can perform chiropractic adjustments or even offer massage therapy to help relieve the sciatica pain and improve your overall health and wellness. Don’t suffer silently from your sciatica pain. Reach out to a nearby chiropractor to see how they can help.
Adam Mulligan did his degree in psychology at the University of Hertfordshire. He is interested in mental health and well-being.
