Chiropractic and Sciatica

Sci·at·i·ca By definition, pain affecting the back, hip, and outer side of the leg, caused by compression of a spinal nerve root in the lower back, often owing to degeneration of an intervertebral disk.

In my 2 decades plus as a chiropractor, this is one of the most common complaints, I treat in my clinic. It is also one of the most painful conditions a person can experience. I usually tell men, that if you what to know the kind of pain women experience during childbirth, sciatica comes close! The key to the treatment of sciatica is patience. To resolve the condition takes time. Rather than see a complete resolution of pain after one or two chiropractic treatments, it usually resolves gradually over a series of treatments. I usually recommend 2 treatments a week for 2-4 weeks.

In office, I typically begin with electrical muscle stimulation over the affected area with a heating pad applied. These modalities help to decrease muscle spasm around the nerve, improve circulation and decrease pain. I then make spinal adjustments to the lower spine to improve the joint motion and decrease pressure on nerves exiting the spinal column.

At home recommendations include stretching, heating pad application and frequent moving. In severe cases, I also recommend TENs/EMS to be used at home.

99% of cases that I treat with this protocol resolve within 8 treatments.