Chiropractic For Sciatica
The shooting pain, tingling, or weakness that can affect the lower back and extend down the back of the legs and feet is called sciatica. While it can be debilitating, there are things you can do to help manage the symptoms and even get rid of them completely!
Start with a chiropractor. A chiropractor can work with you to address the underlying cause of your sciatica. This can include spinal manipulation, manual therapy, and exercise therapy. This combination is highly effective at alleviating sciatica.
One technique that is particularly helpful with sciatica is the myofascial release technique. This is a deep tissue massage that works by applying pressure to the tight bands of muscle, called trigger points, that can be causing your sciatica. This technique is very effective and usually provides immediate relief.
Another common sciatica treatment is spinal traction, also known as decompression. This involves using a specialized table to stretch and gently decompress the spine. This helps to straighten the spine, relieve pressure on the nerves, and promote rehydration of the spinal discs.
There is only one circumstance when a chiropractor would be unable to treat your sciatica: it’s when you are pregnant! That’s because the sciatic nerve passes under the uterus and can be compressed by it as the fetus grows. Once you’ve given birth and the uterus returns to its normal size, your sciatica should resolve itself. While NSAIDs and TENS units can help address the symptoms, chiropractic addresses the root cause of your sciatica so that you can heal completely.sciatica chiropractic