Most commonly resulting from a herniated disk or nerve pressure, sciatica can cause sharp, shooting leg pain. Ignoring this pain could render your leg chronically numb or limit your range of motion. Patients with this condition might consider seeking a chiropractor to perform the appropriate spinal manipulations and musculoskeletal repositioning.

Seeking chiropractic care and physical therapy for your sciatica pain can help you avoid long-term consequences and a decreased quality of life. Professionals from Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, PLLC, can develop a personalized chiropractic treatment plan to address your symptoms.

What Causes Sciatica?

Because there are many potential causes of sciatica, it might be difficult for you to identify exactly how your pain began. The underlying issues typically involve abnormal pressure on the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your leg.

Most cases result from a herniated disk. These injuries may be due to strange back movements, lifting heavy objects, car accidents, and other causes.

Healthline notes bone spurs as another cause of sciatica. The Mayo Clinic describes a bone spur as the result of decreasing cartilage between spinal sections from osteoarthritis. As the spine compensates for its lack of cushioning, you might develop bone spurs and, subsequently, sciatica.

Sciatica also results from chronically poor posture.

What Is Chiropractic Care and Treatment?

Chiropractors focus on spinal realignments, joint adjustments, and musculoskeletal work to decrease pressure on nerves and reduce pain. To become a chiropractor, practitioners must earn a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and multiple certifications.

Through extensive training, chiropractors learn how to adjust your alignment to improve issues ranging from chronic pain and tight muscles to migraine conditions. Chiropractors primarily offer in-office treatment, with patients coming periodically for adjustments and realignments.

What Does a Chiropractor Do For Sciatica?

After reviewing your medical history and ascertaining your symptoms, an experienced chiropractor performs alignments and adjustments to improve your pain. While chiropractic treatment focuses on treating the person rather than the issue, routine adjustments might help pinpoint and address the cause of your sciatica.

One popular chiropractic technique for sciatica is vertebral subluxation, which involves the manual realignment of your vertebrae. Spinal misalignment can heighten sciatica and increase nerve pressure. Receiving this treatment regularly also improves posture and other misalignments causing sciatica.

What Research Says About Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

The Cleveland Clinic notes that over 40% of people will experience sciatica at some point in their lifetime. Because of its prevalence, many studies examine the efficacy of chiropractic treatment for sciatica. While the results have been varied, recent studies seem to agree that spinal manipulation therapy (SMT) has an overall positive effect on sciatica pain.

A randomised trial by McMorland and colleagues compared spinal manipulation against microdiskectomy in patients whose sciatica came from a disk herniation and who had already failed three months of non-operative care. Sixty per cent of those treated with manipulation got as much relief as the surgical group; of the 40% who did not, surgery afterwards worked well. That is one trial in one group of patients rather than a general result, but it is the comparison the question actually calls for.

Other Natural Healing Methods for Sciatica

Besides seeking a chiropractor to treat your sciatica, certain lifestyle changes could alleviate your pain and discomfort. While DIY treatments may improve your comfort, consulting chiropractic and medical professionals is the best way to achieve long-term relief.

At-home treatment methods for sciatica include the following:

  • Taking breaks to stand and walk during long periods of sitting
  • Light exercises to build back strength
  • Hamstring and hip stretches
  • Ice packs
  • Hot pads and heating lotions
  • Yoga and other light aerobic movements
  • Massages and acupuncture

Is Sciatica Treatment Painful?

Many patients seeking a chiropractor for sciatica worry that their treatment could be painful. However, you’re probably seeking treatment because your sciatica pain is bothersome or uncomfortable.

Chiropractic patients note that adjustments feel similar to clicking your neck into place or cracking your back. These adjustments should provide immediate relief in most cases.

When To Contact Medical Professionals

While chiropractic care can offer relief from sciatica pain, knowing when to seek more intensive medical care is essential. From increased pain to loss of feeling in your legs, the following signs could indicate worsening sciatica and permanent nerve damage:

  • Excruciating pain lasting longer than a week
  • Increasingly worse pain even with chiropractic treatment
  • Over-the-counter meds and rest prove ineffective
  • Feelings of weakness or numbness
  • Partial or complete loss of feeling in your legs

FAQs About Chiropractic Care For Sciatica

Below are some frequently asked questions about chiropractic care for sciatica.

Should I See a Chiropractor for Sciatica?

You should see a chiropractor for sciatica if your pain persists or worsens. Chiropractic professionals offer short- and long-term relief solutions for sciatic, neck, and lower back pain. Barring an emergency, it’s probably best to try this option first to avoid the risks of surgery.

How Much Can a Chiropractor Help Sciatica?

The evidence is strongest for relief in the short term. Regular adjustments together with the changes in habit are where the better results tend to come from.

How Long Does It Take To See Results With Chiropractic Care for Sciatica?

It might only take one chiropractic session to see results for your sciatica pain. Every case differs depending on age, physical condition, and symptoms.

Alleviate Your Sciatica With Chiropractic Experts From Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, PLLC

Whether you’re unsure when to see a chiropractor after an accident or are considering chiropractic care for your chronic pain, experts from Quantum Physical Therapy & Chiropractic Care, PLLC, are here for you. With offices throughout the New York metropolitan area, our professionals passionately treat every patient with a personalized, one-on-one approach to chiropractic care.