Sciatica pain can be debilitating and is unfortunately very common. Luckily, visiting a chiropractor for sciatica can help you find relief from the pain. As forty per cent of adults in America suffer from sciatica, it’s likely that you or someone you love may experience it in the course of your lifetimes. But you don’t need to suffer; help is available. Along with visiting a sciatica chiropractor, there are also things you can do at home to help you find long-term relief from your sciatica pain.
What is sciatica?
The condition is named after the sciatic nerve, which the largest nerve in your body and is rooted in your spinal cord. The nerve travels through the discs of your spine, into your bottom and then down the back of your legs, ending in your feet.
Sciatica occurs when this nerve it is pinched, irritated or becomes inflamed or when there is pressure put on the nerve. This can sometimes be caused by a herniated disc, poor posture, arthritis or a bone overgrowth. Sciatica pain can occur at any point along the sciatic nerve, and often presents as back or leg pain.
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica? Well, chiropractic care addresses many of the causes of sciatica pain, like poor posture and herniated discs, so visiting a chiropractor for sciatica will help you find relief from your pain.
What are the symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica symptoms vary a lot from person to person, and they may come and go over time. The good news is that as sciatica chiropractors, we can support you in managing your symptoms.
Some sciatica symptoms are more serious than others and it’s important to see a doctor immediately if you have any of the following symptoms:
- Sudden, severe pain in the lower back or leg; or numbness and muscle weakness your legs.
- Pain after a serious or violent injury, such as a traffic accident.
- Trouble controlling your bowels or bladder.
Other symptoms of sciatica that a sciatica chiropractor may help with include:
- Aches and pains in the buttocks, hamstrings and calf muscles.
- Pain in the ankles and feet.
- Pins and needles in the lower half of your body.
- Increased pain when you lift something.
- Decreased strength in the muscles of your legs and feet.
What is the best way to treat sciatica?
You can find relief from your sciatica pain by visiting a chiropractor for sciatica at our clinic in Cedar Park. But before you visit a sciatica chiropractor there are a few things you can do in the interim to help alleviate your symptoms at home.
At home, sciatica care could include:
- Applying a hot or cold pack to the painful area.
- Having a warm bath.
- Doing some gentle stretches.
- Resting, but not too much.
- Doing gentle, non-weight-bearing exercises, like swimming.
While rest might feel like exactly what your body needs, remaining still for too long may exacerbate your sciatica pain. The key is to find balance, and movement that allows your body to feel rested and healed.
If you continue to experience severe sciatica pain, there are other ways to manage the pain, like medication and in more extreme cases, surgery.
If you’re looking for a non-invasive way to treat your sciatica without relying on medication or surgery, come and find out can a chiropractor help with sciatica. At Gateway to Wellness, we’ll address the underlying cause of your sciatica to help you find long-term relief from your symptoms.
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Chiropractic care diagnoses and treats diseases of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems – this includes but is not limited to spinal treatments. As chiropractors, we’re well-versed in treating back injuries and pain.
Spinal manipulation therapy is one of the key aspects of our treatments. Sciatica often presents as back pain, so when you visit a chiropractor for sciatica at Gateway to Wellness, we’ll use our in-depth knowledge of the spine, and the entire musculoskeletal and nervous systems, to help alleviate your sciatica pain.
Chiropractic treatment is recommended as a treatment approach for sciatica pain, particularly if you are looking for a non-invasive, drug-free option. Evidence shows that chiropractic care will help reduce symptoms of sciatica and that participants saw a reduction in their sciatica pain after chiropractic treatment.
Visiting a sciatica chiropractor will help you find long-term pain relief. When you visit us at Gateway to Wellness, we take a holistic approach to your wellness through a variety of treatments, depending on what you need. We don’t simply treat the symptoms of your pain, we look at the underlying cause of the pain to ensure you find relief now, and for the long-term.
If you are struggling with sciatica, contact us today to see how chiropractic care may be able to help you find some relief from pain.
