Diagnosing And Treating Sciatica
Sciatica is pain from irritation of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica may be the result of a compressed nerve in the lower spine but can cause symptoms throughout the back and legs.
Symptoms of sciatica:
The main symptom is a shooting pain anywhere along the sciatic nerve; from the lower back, through the buttock, and down the back of either leg.
Other common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Insensibility in the leg along the nerve
- tingling sensation (pins and needles) in the feet and toes
This pain can range in severity and may be aggravated by sitting for long periods.
How is sciatica diagnosed?
Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor’s first step is to determine what is causing sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient’s medical history, and a physical and neurological examination.
Diagnostic testing may include MRI, CT scan and/or electrodiagnostic tests (electromyography/EMG and nerve conduction velocity/NCV). These tests help to detect possible reasons to avoid spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.
Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica Symptoms:
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 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.
- Ice/cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.
- Ultrasound produces gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrate deep into soft tissues like muscles. Ultrasound increases circulation and helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and sciatic pain.
- A TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) unit is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists, and other rehab professionals.
- Adjustments (spinal manipulation). At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation can free restricted movement of the spine and help restore misaligned vertebral bodies (subluxation) to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment can help reduce nerve irritability responsible for inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is safe and effective when done correctly, on people who don’t have major preexisting health problems.
References:
Salehi, A., Hashemi, N., Imanieh, M.H., et al. “Chiropractic: Is it Efficient in Treatment of Diseases? Review of Systematic Reviews.” Int J Community Based Nurs Midwifery, 2015, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4591574/.
British National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. “Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management.” 2020, https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/NG59/chapter/Recommendations#non-invasive-treatments-for-low-back-pain-and-sciatica