If you are reading this post, you are probably looking for relief from your sciatic pain. Below, you’ll see three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica and more.
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back down to your toes. Sciatic pain is caused by trapped nerves, disc herniation, and various other syndromes. It is a serious condition that can affect your daily life. Sciatica symptoms include:
- Leg pain, especially when sitting
- Tingling or burning sensations in the leg
- Numbness and weakness in the entire leg
- Difficulties moving your leg or legs
- Consistent lower back pain, usually on one side
- Intense pain that makes it hard to go from a sitting to a standing position
Thankfully, consistent chiropractic care can help relieve sciatic pain. Chiropractors can help relieve you of pain without medication. It also addresses the root of the problem, rather than just treating the symptoms with medication. Chiropractic care can be one of the first options to consider when looking at treating lower back pain.
Here are three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica:
- Network spinal entrainments
- Chiropractic massages
- TENS treatment
Now let us take a deeper look at the three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica.
1. Network Spinal Entrainments
Chiropractors can adjust the spine to take pressure off the sciatic nerve. Techniques vary from a singular, high-velocity thrust to small pushes with minimal, gentle pressure.
Network spinal doesn’t involve any large forces or cracking of bones. Entrainments are simply gentle touches along the neck, back, and spine. You would be surprised to find out just how much realigning can get done with gentle force rather than stronger force. Either way, your chiropractor will know how much force you need.
These entrainments are a big part of treating sciatic pain. Once the spine is realigned, it will function more effectively, the pain will lessen, and you will regain more mobility. Network chiropractors can use entrainments to both lengthen the spine and increase space between the vertebrae. In effect, they can alleviate sciatic nerve pain.
A chiropractor can easily determine what in your spine is already working well versus what isn’t and their goal is to utilize what is already in place to adjust what isn’t so that everything aligns as it is supposed to.
2. Chiropractic Massages
Chiropractic massages can lead to deep muscle relaxation and a release of endorphins. Unlike most spa masseuses, chiropractors are acutely aware of the joint musculoskeletal system and can apply pressure in the right places to kick off the healing process.
Targeted massages and similar chiropractic care can help reduce inflammation of muscles, joint tissues, and nerves, which reduces pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Now, let us look at the final way that a chiropractor can help with sciatica.
3. TENS Treatment
A TENS unit is a battery-powered device that stimulates muscles and nerves in the body. It stands for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation. Treatment with a TENS unit can relax muscle spasms, increase endorphins, and as a result, reduce pain.
However, are there more than three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica?
Other Methods
Chiropractors have plenty of tools at their disposal. Consider that there may be more than three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica.
Heat and Cold Therapies
Using heat, cold, or a mixture of the two therapies can help reduce inflammation and release tight muscles. Ask your chiropractor how to best employ these methods to best reduce your pain. There may be a specific regimen they want you to follow to best put you on the path to wellness.
Chiropractic Exercises
Obviously, you do not want to move in such a way that aggravates the sciatica pain, but a chiropractor can suggest exercises that can release the pressure in your tight and inflamed muscles. Most of these stretching programs can be done at home once you have the hang of them.
These stretches, exercises, and yoga programs are an all-inclusive approach to fixing the underlying issues of sciatica.
Ultrasound
Not unlike TENS, ultrasound units emit mild heat which provides deep tissue stimulation. This increases blood circulation and in turn reduces cramping, pain, stiffness, swelling, and muscle spasms.
Lifestyle Changes
Sometimes one of the best ways to reduce sciatica is to adjust how you stand, sit, sleep, and carry objects. With a chiropractor’s guidance, you can take new strides in adjusting how you live and as a result, reduce your sciatica. Sometimes a chiropractor will even suggest diet and nutrition changes.
Chiropractic care is a whole-body approach that is personalized for each patient. These approaches can improve the quality of life and the well-being of patients. Such care can bring you peace of mind that you are treating the whole problem and not just symptoms.
This is why there are so many different methods of approach for sciatica. But it is clear to see that there are at least three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica.
Is Seeing a Chiropractor Right for Me
There are situations where the more than three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica aren’t the right solution for you. Certain slipped discs and syndromes may require surgical attention rather than the help of a chiropractor. However, your doctor of chiropractic will tell you this and work with you to getting the specialized care you need.
Conclusion
Entrainments, massages, and using a TENS unit are the most common three ways that a chiropractor can help with sciatica, though there are other options that a chiropractor can help you with.
Keep in mind that you may need to see a chiropractor several times a week for a month to start seeing improvements with your sciatica. Even with such a thorough treatment schedule to start with, the payoff is worth it.
Now that you know the benefits of seeing a chiropractor when dealing with sciatica, consider contacting Twin Waves Wellness Center. You can learn what the next best steps are for you to help you along your journey of healing.