Sciatica
Sciatic nerve pain – sciatica – refers to pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve travels from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. This particular type of pain is experienced when the sciatic nerve is compressed, either by an injury or due to inflammation nearby.
A common misconception is that sciatica is a disorder—however, sciatica is really a symptom of a disorder.
Chiropractors have a deep understanding of sciatica, and for sufferers of sciatica relief of pain is essential to continue a normal, active lifestyle. Initially the treatment will focus on easing your pain and then work with you to help prevent further pain through treatment to maintain your condition and lifestyle advice to avoid it recurring.
How Can A Chiropractor Help Me With Sciatic Pain?
Chiropractors are very experienced in treating sciatica. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance.
The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include a wide range of different techniques.
Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor's first step is to determine what is causing sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review the patient's medical history, and a physical and neurological examination.
If the patient' situation is severe, diagnostic testing may include an x-ray, MRI and/or CT scan. These tests help to detect possible contraindications to spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.
Sciatica Treatment
Treatment will vary depending on the cause of your pain. Chiropractors have many methods available, including:
> Chiropractic Adjustments
> DaBaoZha Adjustment
> Percussion Therapy
> Muscle release techniques
> Trigger point therapy (which is a technique for getting a frozen muscle to release itself)
> Identification of related injuries or inflammation
> Advice for avoiding future problems
> Long and short term treatment plans
A chiropractor will also include advice and guidance on lifestyle changes and will incorporate strengthening exercises and stretching into your treatment sessions.
Interesting Facts About Sciatica
Used to describe any pain from your lower back or buttocks that travels down your leg
Numbness in your lower leg is most likely to be from the sciatic nerve
Sciatic nerve is the largest and longest peripheral nerve in the body, originating from the spine, through the buttock & down the back of the leg to the foot
Sciatica usually only affects one side of the body
It can often be entrapped and split in part by the piriformis muscle, causing nerve pain
If your pain is radiating on the side of your hip and thigh, spiralling to the top of your foot, ensure you’re cleared for a L4/5 radiculopathy due to disc herniation
If the leg is often kept in external rotation (sitting cross legged for example) the sciatic nerve can get impinged by the greater trochanter and the ischial tuberosity
Sciatica is most frequent in men aged 30-50 but can happen at any age
The third place that the sciatic nerve can be impinged is the long head of biceps femoris (part of the hamstring group)
Sciatica is very common during pregnancy and childbirth
If your thigh is going numb, don’t blame the sciatic nerve; this is more typical of a radiculopathy
If radiating pain is towards the back of the thigh and ending on the side of the leg and/or side of the foot, then check for a L5/S1 radiculopathy due to disc herniation
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