Chiropractic Treatment Of Sciatica

Chiropractic treatment of Sciatica is one of the best alternative treatments for spinal soreness, but the chiropractor needs to diagnose the cause of the compression of the sciatic nerve first according to this article. This can be caused by misalignment of the vertebral segments, diabetes, constipation and damage to the Piriforis muscle due to a fall, hip arthritis and improper posture of the leg while sitting or driving for long hours. There should be proper diagnosis before deciding on the course of chiropractic treatment. Along with spinal manipulation of the nerve involved in chiropractic treatment, other therapies may be combined to get faster relief from back problems.

Chiropractic Treatment Of Sciatica

Chiropractic treatment of sciatica is based on the philosophy that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function.

Sciatica is generally caused by compression of the sciatic nerve. Disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral segments), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy and childbirth, tumors, and non-spinal disorders, such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on one’s back pocket wallet.

One common cause of sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis Syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle that is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, a difference in leg length, sitting, or driving for prolonged period of time. Such situations can cause cramping and spasm to develop in the piriformis muscle, thereby pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain. Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles (monoplegia), and insomnia.

Proper Diagnosis – Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor’s first step is to determine what is causing the patient’s sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient’s medical history and a physical and neurological examination. Diagnostic testing may include an x-ray, MRI, CT scan, thermography, and/or electrodiagnostic tests (nerve conduction velocity, electromyography). These examinations and tests help to detect possible causes of the nerve compression, as well as contraindications to spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.

Treatment Approach – The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body’s potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free. The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient’s sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments, such as ice/heat therapies, ultrasound, electrotherapies (such as interferential current or TENS- transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation), acupuncture, stretching, and spinal adjustments (sometimes called spinal manipulation). Therapies may be administered together for safe and fast effective relief of sciatic nerve pain.

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There are a number of causes leading to compression of the Sciatic nerve. It is necessary to find out the actual cause of Sciatica before taking any decision on the approach of chiropractic therapy. Chiropractic treatment for Sciatica has proved a better alternative treatment for back pain. Being a non-evasive and drug-free course of treatment, chiropractic therapy is gradually becoming more popular among Americans in recent years. Combined with other alternative therapies, it can work wonders in relieving back pain within the short time. So, if you are not tired of being manipulated one way, you can pay for someone to do it for you.

Sciatic nerve pain can be treated with various adjustments and therapies recommended by your chiropractor. This video is from Dr. Hans C. Delfo, who owns and operates his own chiropractic practice – Conejo Valley Family Chiropractic at Thousand Oaks, CA.