How a Chiropractor Can Help Relieve Sciatica Pain

Sciatica patients do not often think about what a chiropractor can do. Many patients focus on pain medications, physical therapy, and surgery for severe cases. These are what the doctor will order as well. But once the initial shock subsides, patients can consider chiropractic treatment. It is a method that eliminates medication and invasive procedures.

The sciatic nerve goes from the lower back and down to the hips, buttocks, and legs. Pain comes from getting that nerve pinched due to excessive weight. Doing strenuous activities is another reason. Other causes are degenerative diseases, pregnancy, and spinal conditions. Upon evaluation, medical doctors will advise invasive methods to treat sciatica. Patients will need to take pain relievers too.

What a chiropractor can do

However, some patients do not want to rely on pain relievers. People want to live long, healthy, and fruitful lives. That is where chiropractors come in. Chiropractors do spinal adjustments to balance the body. The process also relieves pain from the neck and back.

Unknown to many, chiropractors do a lot more than spinal adjustments. Their treatment methods involve more than “cracking” the neck and back. They also do more than massaging the pain areas. When it comes to sciatica, a chiropractor will combine various techniques.

Ice therapy, ultrasound, and exercises are standard methods. Stretching at home will help as well. However, chiropractors may also do spinal decompression therapy. This treatment is for a herniated disc, but it works for sciatica too.

Chiropractic adjustments

No one can talk about chiropractic treatments without mentioning spinal adjustments. The manipulation of the spine is the core of this alternative treatment method. During the process, the chiropractor will apply controlled force on the spine. Most chiropractors learn to apply pressure by hand. However, some may also use a device.

How long the treatment lasts will depend on the patient’s condition. Some say that it takes three visits per week for the first two months to treat sciatica. However, some also claim to need more months to manage the pain. The longer the treatment goes, the less frequently the patients need to visit the chiropractor.

Length of treatment

The duration of treatment depends on the cause of sciatica. Chiropractors will customize the treatment plan based on a variety of factors. One of these factors is the root cause of sciatica, as well as the lifestyle of the patient. At the least, patients will need to see their chiropractors three times a week. These visits will taper off as the patients begin to feel better.

Once the patients feel well, the relief will last for at least a year. Sometimes, they may begin to notice the dull pain again. In that case, patients should revisit the chiropractor and plan another round of treatments. Most chiropractors will advise patients to see them throughout the year for regular checkups.