Sciatica is described as a “debilitating lower back pain that extends down the hip and legs”. It certainly doesn’t sound like a good time. And the treatment method we are proposing in this article, chiropractic care, is also known as ‘spinal adjustment’. It doesn’t sound good either. Who wants to have their spine adjusted?
But unlike sciatica, which is just an unpleasant condition that you need to deal with, chiropractic care is not as intimidating in real life as its name suggests. For starters, chiropractic adjustments are painless, and they will even relax your body afterward. In fact, it is comparable to a message.
The difference is that chiropractors use spinal manipulation methods to realign your spine and joints so that they can function optimally.
Everyday stressors can put a strain on your musculoskeletal system—and you wouldn’t even know it. Accidents and injuries are way more obvious. The good news is that chiropractic care can help treat both minor and major issues in your muscles and spine.
But does it work for sciatica and lower back pain? And if so, how does it help?
What’s great about chiropractic care is that it offers pain relief without the unwanted side effects of medication. With an opioid crisis currently affecting the country, it’s easy to see why some Americans are looking for alternatives when it comes to treating pain.
Chiropractic care is well-known because of its ability to manage pain. It is popular among professional athletes and Olympians alike because it is entirely natural. Even if you are not active in sports, you can benefit from this alternative treatment method.
In fact, sitting around might be making your symptoms worse! If you are the type who spends most of their time sitting in front of the computer, this inactivity can be harmful to your body. So if you absolutely have to be still for hours because of work, then you need to add in some exercise to your daily routine in order to avoid lower back pain and sciatica. And if you already have these problems, exercising could be a good way to lessen their impact.
Now if painkillers and hot packs can’t cut the pain, you should consider visiting a chiropractor. Chiropractors are trained to deal with this type of pain, including those that cause leg or foot tingling, numbness, or weakness.
“Chiropractors are a portal of entry, meaning you don’t need a referral to see one,” said chiropractor Andrew Bang, DC. “We’re trained to work with musculoskeletal concerns, so we can help identify what’s the root cause of your symptoms.”
Chiropractors won’t just adjust your spine without assessing your problem first. You will undergo a medical exam so that the chiropractor can learn more about your condition. Only then can they come up with a solid treatment plan.
Some chiropractors will require getting an X-ray or an MRI.
“People often tell me they don’t know how they hurt their back,” said Dr. Bang. “That’s usually a blaring sign that muscle weakness or tightness is to blame, which is typical given how much sitting we all do.”
Because muscles weaken over time when not used, leg muscles can suffer from long periods of inactivity. This means that even if you don’t get into an accident, you can still experience leg pain and lower back pain.
Chiropractors can use manual adjustments to target these specific areas of the body in order to provide pain relief. They can take care of trigger points that ‘pinch’ the sciatic nerve, causing intense pain down the back and legs.
They can also help reduce inflammation-causing compounds near the trigger point. With the big benefits of chiropractic, coupled with its little risk approach, it’s safe to say that people should try and visit a nearby chiropractor more often. Until then, some stretching exercises can help strengthen leg muscles so that they are not as susceptible to aches and pains.
Look for a chiropractic clinic near you today!
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