Can Sciatica Be Cured by a Chiropractor?
Despite sciatica potentially causing significant discomfort, a treatment plan and time often successfully resolve this condition without needing surgery.
Only a few Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) medicine are exceptional and proficient in treating the underlying cause of sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain in the lower back but can also shoot along the affected nerve after it exits the spine, typically in the buttock and leg. Commonly, sciatica usually affects only one side of the body.
Sciatica is a condition that can have either sharp or dull pain. The pain may also shoot down your leg, making walking or sitting challenges. Symptoms might include tingling sensations, burning, weakness in specific muscles, and numbness. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder—however, sciatica is a symptom of a disorder.
Sciatica symptoms develop due to a change in one of the cartilage pads in your spine, called discs. A small disc component pokes into the spinal canal, creating swelling or inflammation. That leads to inflammation of the nerve and triggers the symptoms of sciatica. The pressure on the nerve from a herniated disc may also contribute to sciatica. Nerve irritation can also be due to several factors, including cysts or bone spurs that grow near a nerve.
Chiropractic Diagnosis of Sciatica
To help a patient suffering from sciatica, the chiropractor must determine what caused their condition in the first place. This diagnosis includes a thorough review of the patient’s medical history and physical and possible neurological examination.
It is vital to have the proper tests so chiropractors can provide their patients with appropriate chiropractic care. Diagnostic testing may include x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and electrodiagnostic tests to determine what type of injury you’ve sustained. Also, the tests might provide insight into whether it’s possible to perform spinal adjustments without causing further damage due to some contraindications to chiropractic therapies.
Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica
Chiropractic care is a safe and drug-free way to help the body’s potential to heal itself. The purpose of chiropractic treatment is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and decreased function or performance. In addition, chiropractic care is non-invasive, making it an attractive alternative to other types of modern medicine.
The chiropractic therapy type depends on the origin of the patient’s sciatica. A patient’s treatment plan may include several treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound TENS, and spinal adjustments. Below are more details on these chiropractic treatment modalities.
- Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.
- Ultrasound produces gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrate deep into soft tissues (eg, muscles). Ultrasound increases circulation and helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and sciatic pain.
- TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists, and other rehab professionals
- Adjustments (Spinal Manipulation) At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted spine movement and helps restore misaligned vertebral bodies (subluxation) to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps reduce nerve irritability responsible for inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.
When Sciatica Surgery is an Option
90 to 95% of sciatica cases can resolve with time and conservative treatments like chiropractic care. However, surgery may be an option if the problem persists. The procedure requires removing the portion of the disc that’s affecting the nerve.
For more information on sciatica treatment, don’t hesitate to contact chiropractor Dr. Steven Becker in Los Angeles – one of the leading sciatica specialists in the United States. Dr. Becker specializes in Chiropractic Neurology and Orthopedics. He specializes in treating patients with sciatica, tailbone pain and neck pain. He frequently sees patients from various parts of Los Angeles including West LA, Beverly Hills, Century City and Culver City.
