Which profession should you see first? If you are suffering from a mild case of sciatica, visit a physiotherapist first. He or she will help you to identify the cause of your pain, which will help you avoid it in the future. You can then visit a chiropractor for treatment, if necessary.
While sciatica pain can be debilitating, chiropractic treatment can relieve it gently and naturally. This care entails treating the pain without costly and harmful side effects.
Physiotherapy treatment has been shown to help with pain from sciatica by reducing inflammation and relieving muscle tension. The aim is to relieve the symptoms of sciatica so that you can get back to the activities you enjoy without pain.
A nerve may become compressed or pinched in any number of ways, but the root cause of a pinched nerve tends to be some type of problem with the musculoskeletal system. Because this is a problem of the musculoskeletal system, the care of a chiropractor tends to be one of the best options for addressing this issue.
Since sciatica is a nerve disorder, involving a neurologist in the diagnosis and treatment of the condition is beneficial. When conservative methods fail to relieve pain symptoms, a patient may be referred to a neurosurgeon or orthopedic surgeon.
Treatment of sciatica
Pain medication, staying active, and gentle exercise will also help. The nerve can still be sensitive so it is recommended to build up your tolerance to activities slowly. The little and often approach to movement is recommended.
However, a possible complication of sciatica is chronic (long-term) pain. If there's serious damage to an affected nerve, chronic muscle weakness, such as a “drop foot,” might happen. That's when nerve damage causes numbness in your foot, which makes normal walking difficult or even impossible.
Can Sciatica Go Away On Its Own? In some cases, sciatica symptoms can get better over time without a chiropractor's help. However, because sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, it's best to seek chiropractic treatment to figure out the underlying cause of your sciatica pain.
Chiropractic is a great way to relieve pinched nerves – and it's something we can do for you today. Professional Chiropractors have an intimate understanding of the body and the nerves, and know where to apply pressure to reduce pain, relieve tension, and hasten recovery.
The amount of time it takes to heal from a pinched nerve depends on the severity of your injury and the treatment you receive. For minor injuries, you may only need a few days of rest and chiropractic care to feel better. More severe injuries may require weeks or even months of treatment before you see improvement.
The “walk it off” mentality may be popular in some sports disciplines, but patients that suffer from sciatica should avoid pushing through the pain. As a matter of fact, this may lead to more intense pain and additional symptoms, so living in pain is not a good alternative.
Sciatica can be a persistent injury. Once it is established it usually requires treatment to alleviate the pain and then prevent it from returning. We typically see improvements in sciatica within 1-2 sessions, and the average number of sessions needed is 5-6.
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Chiropractic adjustments combined with massage therapy can also relieve sciatica pain by reducing nerve pressure in the lumbar spine. improvimg spinal posture and reducing myofascial trigger points in the piriformis muscle.
The pelvis and spine are very important in disc issues, any misalignment with the pelvis or change in the lumbar curve (lordosis) can cause extra loading through the discs and potentially cause sciatica.
It's not uncommon for patients to leave a chiropractic visit feeling sore or sometimes may even feel worse than when they came in. If this has happened to you, don't panic! This is one of the normal potential side effects of visiting the chiropractor.
In the case of pinched nerves caused by improper ergonomics, obesity, arthritis, pregnancy, or overuse, a chiropractor can provide full treatment. However, in complex cases such as fractures, sprains, or tumors, seeing a medical doctor is essential.
If a nerve is pinched for only a short time, there's usually no permanent damage. Once the pressure is relieved, nerve function returns to normal. However, if the pressure continues, chronic pain and permanent nerve damage can occur.
The nerve originates from the ventral rami of spinal nerves L4 through S3 and contains fibers from both the posterior and anterior divisions of the lumbosacral plexus. After leaving the lower vertebrae, the nerve fibers converge to form a single nerve.
It affects your legs
One of the reasons sciatica gets so much attention is because the sciatic nerve's roots feed into the legs, and we use our legs a lot. Patients may perceive sciatica as being more painful than a compressed root in a less active part of your body, such as in the torso.
On your back with elevated knees
This is considered the best position for sciatica pain relief. To achieve this position, lie flat on your back and elevate your knees by placing several pillows beneath them. Use as many pillows as you find comfortable.
What to expect in physiotherapy for sciatica? In your first physiotherapy treatment appointment, the therapist will go through a thorough assessment perform some special testing and ask you questions regarding your sciatica and medical history.