Sciatic pain
Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) medicine regularly treat sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity and frequency; minimal, moderate, severe and occasional, intermittent, frequent or constant.
Pain is described as dull, achy, sharp, toothache- like, pins and needles or similar to electric shocks. Other symptoms associated with sciatica include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain, neuropathy or neuralgia. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder-however, sciatica is really a symptom of a disorder,
Sciatica is caused by the sciatic nerve being compressed, Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebra), herniated or bulging discs (caused by spinal misalignments that have been present for a long time), pregnancy and childbirth, tumors and non- spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation or, sitting on one’s wallet in their back pocket.The most common cause of sciatica is a spinal misaglinment. Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles (monoplegia), and insomnia.
Chiropractic adjustment for sciatic symptoms
The purpose of chiropractic adjustment is to restore the body’s potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principal that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (surgical free) and drug- free.
Adjustments At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Hands on adjustment frees restricted movement of the spine and helps to restore misaligned vertebral bodies to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps to reduce nerve irritability responsible for causing inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal adjustments are proven to be safe and effective.
Ice/Cold therapy may also be recommended to help reduce inflammation and control sciatic pain.
So if you or anyone you know suffers from the ailments listed above, a chiropractic adjustment could offer quick relief and get you back to feeling good and moving like you need to.