SCIATICA
RADIATING LEG PAIN
Chiropractors regularly treat sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock and travels into the leg(s.) Sciatic nerve pain can vary in intensity and frequency.
Sciatic pain can be described as dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles or even similar to electric shock-like shooting leg pain.
Other sciatica symptoms may include burning, numbness and tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain nerve pain. A misconception is that sciatica itself is a disorder. Actually, sciatica is only a symptom of a disorder.
CAUSES
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Spinal disorders known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body/ies), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy and childbirth, rare spinal tumours, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or even sitting on one's back pocket wallet.
One common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, or a difference in leg length. Such situations can cause piriformis muscle cramping and spasm to develop pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain.
Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles (monoplegia) - like you limb has "fallen asleep."
Treatment
The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.
The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, and spinal adjustments (sometimes called spinal manipulation), and muscle treatment - such as dry needling.
At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps restore misaligned vertebral bodies (subluxation) to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps reduce nerve irritability responsible for inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.
