An Osteopath is able to work towards relieving the symptoms of Sciatica by seeking out the underlying cause of the pain. In most cases, sciatic nerve pain can be improved by decreasing muscle spasms, improving joint mobility and overall spinal functional movement, thereby relieving stress on the affected areas.
Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve is irritated or trapped. Osteopathy can help to release the area causing the problem, reducing pain and symptoms. It can also help to reduce the pressure on the nerve and any inflammation this has caused.
Should I see an Osteopath or Chiropractor for Sciatica? We say the best course of action is osteopathy. Since osteopaths treat the body as a whole, they can treat many different causes of sciatica.
Neurology specialists are experts at understanding and navigating treatments for the nervous system. Sciatica is a nerve-related condition, making a neurologist a go-to specialist to visit when getting to the root of sciatica symptoms.
For example, if your sciatica is mild and you are looking for ways to relieve the pain and improve range of motion, you should see a physiotherapist. If you have a moderate case of sciatica and want to speed up your recovery, you might want to see a physiotherapist first and then see a chiropractor.
Normally sciatica improves within a 4-6 week timeframe, however it can sometimes be a lot longer than this.
Most cases of sciatica resolve within 4-8 weeks with appropriate physiotherapy management. If symptoms are more severe and include numbness, tingling and associated muscle weakness, it may take longer.
Alternating heat and ice therapy can provide immediate relief of sciatic nerve pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat encourages blood flow to the painful area (which speeds healing). Heat and ice may also help ease painful muscle spasms that often accompany sciatica.
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.
They may include pain relief medications, steroid injections, physical therapy, aquatic therapy, meditation and nerve blocks, among others. What works for one person may not be as effective for someone else. There are several types of doctors who treat sciatica pain.
Go to Physical Therapy
PT usually involves most rapid relief remedies (icing, heating, massage, stretching, strength, and flexibility exercises) to provide pain relief, eliminate the underlying cause of the sciatica nerve pain, and prevent further injury and flare-ups.
In rare cases, serious complications have been linked to therapies involving spinal manipulation, including osteopathy. These include the tearing of an artery wall leading to a stroke, which can result in permanent disability or even death. These events usually occurred after spinal manipulation involving the neck.
Acupuncture has been shown to be an effective treatment for sciatica without the side effects of prescription pain medications like NSAIDs and muscle relaxers. It is also a safe, non-surgical treatment option that can relieve sciatica pain.
There is good quality evidence to show that acupuncture is a good treatment option for sciatic and other nerve pain of the leg. There are several acupuncture channels passing from the area of the lower back and hip down the legs.
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.
Mild sciatica usually goes away over time. Call your primary care provider if self-care measures don't ease symptoms. Also call if pain lasts longer than a week, is severe or gets worse.
Massage therapy can be an important part of your sciatica treatment plan—providing temporary but effective pain relief, stimulating your body to produce natural pain-relieving hormones, and enhancing the body's own healing abilities. A massage can also provide an overall relaxing and enjoyable experience.
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.
Supplying the body with vital vitamins and minerals assists in overall health in general, including improvement from sciatica. Daily doses of supplements such as calcium, magnesium, St. John's Wort, and Vitamin B12 have shown to treat sciatica effectively.
For roughly 3 out of 4 people4, sciatica symptoms, show improvement over the course of a few weeks. However, if your symptoms are persistent and last longer —or if they get progressively worse over time—it's probably time to see a doctor to explore your treatment options.
Sciatica can be treated effectively through physical therapy, however in severe (acute or chronic) cases, the combined effect of physical therapy and acupuncture will ensure the outcome to be highly successful.