If you are experiencing pain in the lumbar region in your spine, glute, and even down the back of your leg, there is a good chance that your sciatic nerve is the root cause. This pain is caused by a condition known as Sciatica.
Sciatica may be caused by a herniated disk, bone spur, or spinal stenosis, which applies pressure to the sciatic nerve. The agony caused by Sciatica can be debilitating, have a significant impact on your life, and is often difficult to relieve. This pain can come in the form of numbness, tingling, stabbing, and nagging, and it’s common for patients to feel multiple types simultaneously.
Chiropractors are experts when it comes to the musculoskeletal system and know how to manipulate the spine to promote healing within the body. They treat the problem rather than the symptoms. Like we’ve said before, many painful problems throughout the body can lead back to the spine. The spine houses the central portion of your nervous system—it acts as the main highway that sends messages throughout the body. Problems such as headaches or aches in the limbs may be traced back to a spinal misalignment. This concept can be applied to Sciatica, especially when the pain caused by the aggravated sciatic nerve shoots down your leg.
Fortunately, chiropractors offer many forms of treatment for Sciatica.
Chiropractic manipulations realign the spine to assure everything is working fluidly. These alignments help relieve the pressure on the affected area and lead to a reduction in pain. The nerves will no longer be blocked by the compressed spinal area and will no longer be bogged down by a traffic jam of neurological communication. Chiropractic manipulations promote your body’s healing capabilities and are a great source of sciatic pain relief.
Acupuncture is also a technique used to promote your body’s internal communication and access it’s own healing abilities. The very fine needles, only inserted ¼ of an inch to one inch into the skin, stimulate the nerves, sending signals to the brain that release mood-boosting chemicals. While acupuncture will not realign your spine like chiropractic manipulations, it can be a great supplement to alleviate pain and improve neurological communication.
If needed, chiropractors can consult with your doctor and work together to create the best treatment plan for you. The first step in treating Sciatica is a spine evaluation, which may be followed by an MRI, x-ray, or CT scan. This way, the health experts can confirm that the sciatic nerve is the source of the problem.
Unless your Sciatica is caused by a herniated disk, patients may be required to simply wait for the problem to subside. For many, this can be a stressful and uncertain timeline, especially if the pain is significant. Instead of waiting for the problem to subside by masking it with painkillers, take command of your health and seek conservative treatment from a chiropractor.
Do not let Sciatica hold you back from living a healthy life. If your pain matches these symptoms, or if you have any nagging injuries that just won’t go away, schedule a visit at Fletcher Chiropractic. Explore our website to discover all the treatment options we do; chiropractic manipulation and acupuncture are just a few examples of our many services.