Sciatica
Sciatica is regularly treated by doctors of Chiropractic. This type of pain originates as back pain in the lower back or the buttocks and travels into one or both of the lower extremities. The intensity and the frequency of sciatic nerve pain vary from minimal to severe at times.
Sciatic pain can vary from person to person ranging from dull, achy, to sharp whereas others may experience burning, numbness and tingling. Sciatica pain is also called neuropathy, neuralgia, and sometimes called referred pain or radiating pain.
Nerve Compression
Nerve compression is the primary issue when it comes to sciatica. When a lumbar spine misalignment, also known as subluxation, occurs a herniation or bulging disc can result leading to pressure upon the sciatic nerve.
One common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. This syndrome occurs with the piriformis muscle which is located in the lower part of the spine and connects into the hip. The sciatic nerve runs in between the piriformis muscle in some cases. When this muscle gets injured the sciatic nerve can be affected. Sciatic nerve compression may also result resulting in sensations such as paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles.
Diagnosing Sciatica
What is causing sciatica should be the first question. There are many problems that can cause sciatica. When a chiropractor forms a diagnosis, it involves a thorough review of your medical history as well as the findings from a physical and neurologic exam.
Often diagnostic tests may be ordered such as x-ray, MRI, CT scans. These tests help your chiropractor to detect possible contraindications regarding spinal adjustments or other chiropractic interventions.
Treating sciatica symptoms through Chiropractic intervention
Chiropractic treatment is founded on the principle that the body heals itself. This concept is based on scientific principles that restricted spinal movement leads to dysfunction and discomfort. Chiropractic treatment is drug-free and non-invasive.
Although there are many treatment modalities for sciatica, the primary focus of a doctor of Chiropractic is what is called a spinal adjustment. Adjustments to the spine free the restricted movement and help to properly position misaligned vertebral bodies to the proper anatomical position. Adjustments to the spine help reduce irritation and inflammation to the nerve which caused spasm, pain, and other symptoms. Spinal adjustments are generally not painful. As indicated through the low malpractice rates of most chiropractors spinal adjustments are proven to be safe and effective.
In chiropractic school students of chiropractic learn how to adjust using many different methods to address the severity and the type of spinal misalignment as well as the various orders. These techniques vary from a gentle thrust to the spine that combines minimal force and gentle pressure to methods that utilize an instrument to make the adjustment. The spinal adjustment is one of the primary treatments that differentiates Chiropractic from more conventional medical disciplines.
Limitations in Treating Sciatica
Like many disorders, there are many reasons for health conditions to emerge. Sciatica is no different. If the doctor of Chiropractic determines your sciatica issue should be addressed by another type of doctor, you’ll be referred to another specialty. In most cases referring you for co-management of sciatica is the best course of action.