Sciatica is a medical condition that can cause severe pain in the lower back and buttock area. It is also known as Sciatic Pain Syndrome or Lower Back Pain with Leg Numbness. People who experience this condition are likely to find it very challenging to function normally throughout the day, let alone at work or during social activities. Fortunately, there are ways you can manage your sciatica and lead a normal life again. Chiropractic care for sciictia mainly focuses on reducing the severity of lower back pain, improving muscle strength and flexibility, and restoring natural spinal alignment. In addition, other benefits of chiropractic care for sciatica include releasing tension from muscles and tendons, helping reduce stress levels, improving sleeping patterns, and improving overall wellness.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition in which your sciatic nerve is irritated and inflamed. This results in pain that radiates down the leg and into the buttock, back, and lower back area.
There are three major types of sciatica: radicular pain, lumbar stenosis, and lumbar disc herniation.
Radicular pain is caused by an irritation to your sciatic nerve as it passes through your hip. This is the most common type of sciatica.
Lumbar stenosis is when the spinal column is too narrow along the lower back. This can cause pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
Lumbar disc herniation is when a bulge in the spinal discs causes pressure on the sciatic nerve, causing sciatica.
Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica
During a chiropractic consultation, the doctor will perform many different diagnostic tests to determine the underlying cause of your sciatica. After this, they will outline a treatment strategy to help reduce the severity and frequency of your symptoms. One of the most effective treatments for sciatica is spinal manipulation.
In this treatment, the doctor will work on your spine by manually manipulating specific joints and ligaments in order to relieve the pressure on the nerves in your lower back. This can be done manually or with the help of a few low-pressure machine adjustments.
The type of adjustments you get depends on your specific condition. Typically, your chiropractor will start by adjusting the joints within your spine to relieve any pressure on the nerves in your lower back. Because it is not possible to manipulate all 28 joints in the spine at once, the doctor will use a combination of joint mobilisations and corrections to help you find the right adjustments that work best for you.
After reducing the severity of your symptoms, your doctor may recommend some specific exercises to help you recover and strengthen your muscles. This can lessen your pain and improve your strength and flexibility.
Safe exercises for sciatica
This may sound silly, but you need to do exercises that don’t hurt. It’s important to find a low-impact routine that doesn’t cause pain in your lower back. This could include flexibility exercises, postural corrections, gentle stretching, and pelvic floor exercises. Try to modify your routine as much as possible to avoid any pain.
You should also avoid heavy lifting, prolonged sitting, and awkward twisting movements that increase pressure on your lower back. If you have sciatica, it is important to avoid these activities as much as possible.
Tips to Help Manage Sciatica
There are a few simple things you can do to help manage the pain and inflammation of sciatica. Make sure you follow these recommendations to help ease your symptoms.
– Rest your back as much as possible.
Sit in the car with your legs on the dashboard and try to position your back as close to the seat as possible. To help keep your lower back in alignment, you can use a back support or a rolled up magazine as a cushion.
– If lying down is too painful, try sitting up while resting or while in a car. This can help reduce pressure on your lower spine.
– Avoid excessive lifting. Lifting objects that are too heavy, twisting or twisting while lifting, and standing for long periods of time can put pressure on your spine and irritate your nerves.
– Avoid sitting for long periods of time. This can be difficult when you have to work or school, but try to find ways to walk around, change your sitting position, or stand up while working.
Conclusion
Chiropractic care for sciatica is a great option for those who experience severe pain in their back and leg.
It can help you manage your condition, restore natural spinal alignment, and relieve pain and restore normal function.
While chiropractic care is an effective treatment, you should always see a chiropractor who is experienced in treating back pain. Your doctor will be able to help you find the right treatment plan that reduces your pain, restores your spine, and helps you return to a normal and active life.
