Here’s How Chiropractors Help With Sciatica Pain
If you experience discomfort when sitting along with tingling or numbness in one leg, you could have a compressed sciatic nerve. Understandably, it’s hard to know what to do when you experience sciatic pain. However, seeing a chiropractor for sciatica can provide some relief.
Are you thinking of seeing a professional chiropractor in Queens, NY? Reach out to Chiropractic Approach because there’s no reason to suffer through sciatic pain.
As the largest nerve in the body, the sciatic nerve extends from the lower part of the spine all the way down the leg. Due to its size, the tissue near the sciatic nerve can cause extra pressure. Usually, this compression results in pain, tingling, and even numbness.
Patients typically feel sciatic pain on one side of the body, though the roots of the sciatic nerve extend down both sides. Whichever side it’s on, sciatica can make sitting extremely painful and cause discomfort when walking or standing. Plus, the pain from a compressed sciatic nerve could last days or come and go for several weeks, depending on the patient.
Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying problem. For some, the cause is a lack of movement throughout the day that causes extra pressure on the spine. In other cases, the reason is more complicated, such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or a bone spur.
When you seek chiropractic care, your physician can help identify the cause of your sciatic pain and form a treatment plan.
What does a chiropractor do for sciatica? Chiropractors are highly educated about the muscles, bones, and tendons that make up your musculoskeletal system. They can perform safe spinal manipulations to treat sciatica pain head-on.
Chiropractic care is also a great way to treat sciatic pain without relying on pain medication, which can lead to addiction and overdose.
Seeing a sciatica chiropractor can provide non-invasive treatment options to improve your quality of life. Available chiropractic treatment methods may include the following:
Massage therapy provides deep muscle manipulation to release endorphins and reduce sciatica pain. A spa-based massage can also relieve pain, but chiropractic massage focuses on specifically treating sciatica and often provides better results.
A chiropractor may recommend heat therapy, cold therapy, or both.
In most cases, alternating between hot and cold compresses can provide a great deal of relief for sciatica pain.
Did you know that ultrasound waves provide soothing heat that promotes deep tissue relaxation? It can improve circulation and reduce pain and swelling. Similar methods include cold laser therapy and TENS treatment.
A compressed spine can cause all sorts of problems. Spinal decompression treatment creates more space between the vertebrae, lessening sciatic pain.
If you have a herniated disc, a spinal adjustment can move it back into position to reduce sciatic nerve pain. It also improves spinal flexibility, realigns the vertebrae, and reduces muscle spasms.
Is the way you normally sit enough to put pressure on the sciatic nerve? A chiropractor can assess your posture when standing, sitting, and even sleeping to suggest changes. The right posture will reduce pressure on your sciatic nerve.
Most cases of sciatica last about six weeks. However, a 2007 article published by the National Library of Medicine confirmed that 20-30% of patients feel sciatica persist beyond one to two years. In that case, a physician may suggest surgery, though these treatment recommendations generally depend on your medical history, past surgeries, and current health assessment.
Even if you know the sciatic nerve caused your pain, you don’t have to endure it. If you notice any of the following symptoms, seek out medical help as soon as possible:
Sciatic symptoms will worsen if you put off calling a chiropractor or another medical professional. Even mild sciatic pain with accompanying symptoms is reason enough to invest in your health and schedule a proper medical evaluation.
Lingering sciatic pain can cause you to cancel plans, miss work, and lose interest in activities you used to enjoy. Don’t live your life just coping with constant pain; the sooner you see a chiropractor for sciatica, the sooner you can move on.
Are you ready to schedule an appointment in Queens? Call Chiropractic Approach at 718-275-1313 or fill out the convenient online form.
Our doctors accept some insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available.
The treatment time varies, but an average treatment plan can cover about a month. You’ll have multiple treatments during this time frame.
Much like sore muscles after a massage, you may experience slightly increased sciatic pain after a treatment. The nerves need time to readjust, which can come with some pain. It should subside after a day or two.
Yes, regular physical activity, including walking, can relieve sciatic pain. Can a chiropractor help with sciatica, too? Absolutely, and implementing a dedicated exercise routine may even prevent the problem.
Posture matters. For example, sleeping on your stomach can make sciatica worse since it makes your back arch. This can leave you with worse sciatica pain from the moment you wake up, so why not consider seeing a chiropractor for sciatica pain treatments and a posture assessment?
Chiropractic Approach discusses signs you should see a chiropractor here.
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