Can A Chiropractor Help Your Sciatica?
You may have heard about chiropractors and how they work with the spine, but they can also help you with leg pain, specifically sciatica. Sciatica can cause a problem with your mobility. A chiropractor can help track down the cause and provide a treatment plan for increased mobility and pain relief naturally. Here are some sciatica basics and how a chiropractor can help you.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition where pain radiates from your lower back and down one leg. Some people also notice numbness in their lower extremities. Most people get sciatica only on one side of the body at a time. Sciatica is worse when you are sitting but also makes getting up difficult.
How Does Sciatica Affect the Legs
Sciatica primarily causes dull, lingering pain in one of the legs. You may also experience weakness in the affected side when you go from sitting or standing. You may also find your leg mobility decreases after long periods of sitting. Some people have trouble flexing the problem leg or putting both their knees together. While walking, you may find trouble lifting and flexing your foot and may scrape the ground.
What Causes Sciatica?
A pinched or inflamed nerve is the most common cause of sciatica. If you are prone to inflammation, the nerve can become inflamed and cause sciatica. Certain types of injuries can also cause the condition, as will lifestyle issues. Anything the irritates the sciatic nerves, including overuse, can cause the problem.
Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?
A chiropractor will gather your symptom and health history before performing an examination. Your primary physician or the chiropractor may also take x-rays to get a better idea about the cause of your sciatica. Treatment depends on the cause, but it could involve manipulation of the lower back, hips, and legs.
In addition to manipulation and exercises, you may also receive advice on lifestyle changes and other tools to reduce your pain. The chiropractor may make other suggestions, like footwear changes, to further reduce inflammation with the sciatic nerve. Many people find relief through chiropractic care and find the treatments increase their mobility. Working with a chiropractor in conjunction with your primary doctor may also be helpful in some cases.
Many people experience chronic sciatica, especially if they do a lot of sitting or recently changed to sedentary work. Sciatica can make certain activities unbearable and affect your quality of life. However, a chiropractor may help when traditional medical treatments haven't been successful.