Suffering From Sciatica Pain? Here’s How a Chiropractor Can Help

Suffering From Sciatica Pain? Here’s How a Chiropractor Can Help

Sciatica is a condition that can result in discomfort and pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttocks and legs. The reasons for the development of sciatica are numerous, but one of the most prevalent causes is a herniated disc. This occurs when the spinal discs experience wear and tear, leading to insufficient support and the enlargement of the disc, which in turn compresses the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can also be caused by spinal stenosis or pregnancy. 

Symptoms of sciatica include the following:

• Feelings of numbness or weakness in the lower part of the body.
• A tingling sensation in the lower back and legs.
• Muscle spasms in the legs.
• Mild to severe pain that makes it hard to stand or walk for extended periods of time.

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

Chiropractors specialize in musculoskeletal conditions that impact the spine. By manipulating the spine, chiropractors can alleviate the pressure placed on the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic treatment is often employed in conjunction with other forms of therapy, including physical therapy, to address sciatic discomfort. Legacies Health Centre offers various techniques for the treatment of sciatica.

Massage and Soft Tissue Therapy

Chiropractors employ soft tissue therapy through the application of gentle massages and electrical pulses to the affected muscles and tissues. This form of chiropractic treatment has been shown to have several benefits, including an improvement in blood circulation, a reduction in nerve compression, and a faster healing process for injured muscles or tissues.

Spinal Adjustments

This chiropractic treatment consists of relieving nerve compression by identifying the precise location of the nerve entrapment and releasing it by correcting the alignment of the spine. This adjustment is a swift procedure that allows the chiropractor to reposition the spine to its ideal shape and position, consequently facilitating the restoration of mobility and function. By eliminating the added pressure on the sciatic nerve caused by the affected disc or spinal area, this form of chiropractic care has been proven to provide significant relief.

Rehabilitation Exercises

Your chiropractor may also suggest incorporating rehabilitative exercises in your chiropractic care and treatment to provide relief for your sciatica symptoms. This includes exercises to stretch and strengthen your legs and lower back, done under the supervision of one of our physiotherapists.

Flexion-Distraction

This chiropractic treatment is administered on a specialized table that the chiropractor can adjust to your needs. This table is then lowered to provide the necessary stretching and decompression to your spine and provide relief to the pain caused by the entrapped sciatic nerve.

Instrument-Assisted Manipulation

This non-invasion form of chiropractic treatment serves to reduce muscle tightness by using an instrument that will allow your chiropractor to identify muscle abnormalities and scarring. Fascial restrictions and scar tissues are broken down with the help of an instrument, introducing micro traumas to trigger a healing response from the body. Excessive fibrosis is reabsorbed and full functional restauration occurs.

Physical Therapy

There is a wide variety of physical therapies that your chiropractor may employ to help treat your sciatic pain:

• Heat or cold therapy
• Electrical stimulation
• Ultrasound
• Manual therapy

Lifestyle Changes

To help your healing and prolonged well-being, your chiropractor may also recommend lifestyle and ergonomic changes that can be incorporated in your everyday life. From being more active to observing best ergonomic practices at work, these lifestyle changes can help make your chiropractic care and treatment more effective and may contribute to preventing new injuries.

If you are experiencing sciatica symptoms, you can contact us at the Legacies Health Centre to learn more about our chiropractic services. We have 4 locations in the Metro Vancouver area in Surrey Southpoint, Surrey Nordel, Burnaby and North Vancouver to serve you.