Although Sciatica is a common and painful condition, chiropractic care has proven to be an effective method of treatment.
The condition begins with pain in the lower back and gradually travels down the buttocks to both legs. The progression and pain intensity varies among individuals, as it comes in various forms. Some describe it as sharp, dull, achy, or electric shock-like pain, while other characterize it as numbing, burning or tingling.
All in all, if you’ve suffered from sciatica, then you know how the pain radiates throughout the body. Surprisingly though, sciatica itself is not a disorder but a sign of a disorder – a sign that is something wrong with the body.
So how is chiropractic care related?
Cause of Sciatica
Well, sciatica results from a shift in the spine. In other words, it is caused by nerve compression, which can arise from:
- Herniated or bulging discs also known as slipped disc
- Lumbar spine subluxations
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Tumors
- Sitting for extended periods of a time, particularly with wallet in the back pocket
- And other non-spinal disorders like constipation and diabetes
If gone untreated, it can cause deterioration and result in loss of feeling, paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles known as monoplegia, and.or insomnia.
Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica
As mentioned, the most common cause is subluxation or a misalignment of one or more of the vertebrae in the lumbar spine (lower back). When this happens, the sciatic nerves are irritated or pinched and then pain and inflammation results. However, since chiropractic care can realign the spine, it is shown to be the recommended choice of treatment. Additionally, chiropractic treatment focuses on strengthening your body’s self-healing abilities. In short, sciatica pain is brought about from a limitation in spinal movement, and accordingly, chiropractic treatment corrects this using non-invasive and drug free techniques.
Proper Diagnosis of Sciatica
Treating the pain is one thing, but diagnosing the cause and getting to the root of the problem is another. That’s why Dr. Mehr’s method is not just about masking the pain, but it’s about finding out what caused your sciatica and how to treat it from there. A proper diagnosis can be carried out by reviewing your history and conducting tests, including X-Ray and electro-diagnostic evaluation.
Once the cause is identified, a chiropractor can administer such treatments as spinal manipulation, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), ice/cold therapies, laser therapy, spinal decompression therapy, and ultrasound all aimed at realigning the spine properly, reducing the pressure on the nerves, and bringing back relief.
If you show signs of sciatica, it is advisable to seek help from a chiropractor. Dr. Mehr with Foothill Family Chiropractic provides you with the highest quality and expert chiropractic treatment in La Verne, CA. Visit or call for more info. (909) 596-1038