What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a common pain presentation which affects the sciatic nerve. A large nerve that starts in the lower back, passes through the hips and buttocks down the side of each leg.
Sciatica is typically a sign that you have an underlying stress putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back, lumbar region.
Sciatic pain often starts subtly and then gradually intensifies over time. It worsens when sitting, coughing or sneezing. The sensation can vary from a mild ache to a sharp shooting pain, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort.
Causes of Sciatica
This most commonly occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched, usually by a disc in the spine or by an overgrowth of bone (bone spur) which may be compressing part of the nerve.
Less common causes include injury, infection, spinal stenosis, or muscular tightness. This may cause inflammation, pain, pins and needles, tingling and numbness in the affected leg.
Can chiropractic care help with sciatica?
Chiropractic care helps restore spinal function and movement, thereby decreasing pain and inflammation of the sciatic nerve. A chiropractic treatment plan may cover several different treatment methods, including but not limited to spinal adjustments, mobilisation and traction. Rehabilitative exercises which will eventually lead to relieving the pain and improving specific movements caused by the inflamed nerve.
For Sciatica; treatment with us at Purelands Chiropractic could include specific chiropractic adjustments to the lumbar spine (lower back), pelvis region, hip traction, the jaw/TMJ and the cervical spine. Furthermore, as a part of a whole body approach, we would also ensure that stress in other areas of the spine, and your sensory system, is looked after. Allowing your body to be at its optimal and giving you and your body the best chance to heal.