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Author: Dr.Kimberly Huynh October 1st, 2024 · 4 min |
The sciatic nerve is a bundle of the last five nerve roots (L4-S3) branching off the spinal cord. Each sciatic nerve runs through the buttocks down the back of the leg up to the knee before branching off to other nerves that connect farther down to the lower leg, foot, and toes.
Sciatica originates from injury or irritation to the sciatic nerve. Conditions structurally impacting or compressing the sciatic nerve may cause sciatic symptoms such as muscular spasms (i.e. piriformis syndrome), injury, swelling, or scar tissue. Sciatica symptoms can also arise from underlying conditions including herniated disc(s), spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, or spinal or paraspinal mass.
Symptoms of sciatica may include pain, tingling or numbness originating from the lower back or buttock, radiating down towards the affected leg. Less commonly, leg weakness may be a complaint.
Chiropractic care can effectively treat sciatica by addressing its underlying causes and offering relief through non-invasive techniques. Chiropractors are trained to assess, diagnose, and manage back and leg symptoms from sciatica.
Here's how chiropractic care can help:
- Chiropractic Adjustments: Also known as chiropractic manipulations, help alleviate pressure on the sciatic nerve by applying targeted pressure to specific areas of the spine and lower extremities, reducing pain and inflammation. Misalignments can compress the sciatic nerve leading to discomfort. Additionally, chiropractic adjustments can help increase joint mobility, reducing stiffness, and thus pain.
- Soft Tissue Therapy: Chiropractors often incorporate soft tissue therapies to relax tight muscles that may contribute to nerve compression. Loosening these muscles can help reduce sciatica symptoms, improve circulation, and help reduce muscle spasms.
- Rehab Exercises and Stretches: Chiropractors can prescribe specific exercises to help strengthen, and improve flexibility, and correct imbalances in the body, which can prevent future sciatic nerve irritation. Core strengthening exercises can take pressure off the lower back and reduce the risk of sciatica flare-ups. Specific stretches can help improve flexibility and release tight muscles from irritating the sciatic nerve.
- Lifestyle Guidance: Counselling for ergonomics, posture, and diet may be done for a comprehensive approach to the patient’s overall well-being. The chiropractor may suggest activity modification to prevent future sciatica episodes.
If you or someone you know is struggling with sciatica pain or other musculoskeletal issues, consider reaching out to our office. Our goal is to promote strong backs. Let your chiropractor help you with the sciatica pain so you can continue doing the things you love.Give us a call at (604) 496-0626,
email at info@paradisechiropractic.ca,
or book online at https://paradisechiropractic.janeapp.com
Davis D, Maini K, Taqi M, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. 2024 Jan 4. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2024 Jan–. PMID: 29939685.
