Sciatica is a condition that leads to pain in the lower back and legs. It's usually caused by a herniated disc, which occurs when a tear in the outer layer of an intervertebral disc puts pressure on the spinal cord or nerve roots. Chiropractic treatment can help ease symptoms related to sciatica by correcting any alignment issues. Here is everything you need to know about sciatica and chiropractic care.
What is sciatica?
As we've already mentioned, the most common cause of sciatica pain is disc herniation, where the soft tissues in between vertebrae become pinched and inflamed due to spinal misalignment. This can lead to inflammation of the surrounding tissues and irritation or compression of the nerve roots themselves, causing shooting pain down the legs.
However, sciatica can also be caused by other factors such as muscle spasms and joint dysfunction, but these are less common. If you have an existing subluxation (also known as a spinal misalignment), it can irritate the nerves, which could lead to pain or numbness down your leg.
How can chiropractic treatment help?
Chiropractic treatment can help relieve sciatica pain and other symptoms by targetting the underlying cause. Chiropractors are trained to deal with spinal misalignment, which is a contributing factor in many cases of sciatica. By adjusting the spine, chiropractors can alleviate pressure on the nerves, reducing symptoms like pain and numbness in the legs.
The benefits
The main benefit of chiropractic treatment for sciatica is that it helps to reduce pain levels, but realigning the spine and pelvis can also help you maintain good posture, sleep better and feel more energised. Chiropractic care has also been shown to increase mobility in patients who have had surgery due to lumbar disk herniation or spinal stenosis. This results in less reliance on prescription medications such as opioids and NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs).
Chiropractic treatment can help to relieve the pain associated with this condition and improve your overall health. For further advice, book an appointment with us at Melville Wellness today.
