The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve of the body. It runs right from the pelvis through the hips and to the thighs. This nerve as acts as a connector between the spinal cord and the lower extremities. If an individual has a condition involving the spinal cord like a disc herniation or bulge or even a disc prolapse or slipped disc then the intervertebral discs move out of their alignment and compress this sciatic nerve. This is what is termed as a Pinched Sciatic Nerve.
A Pinched Sciatic Nerve in mild cases do not cause any symptoms but if there is severe impingement of the sciatic nerve then the affected individual will experience a variety of symptoms to include intense pain in the low back radiating down the buttocks to the lower extremities. In some cases the pain may radiate down to the foot. There is also numbness and tingling associated with the pain.
While there are many ways to treat a Pinched Sciatic Nerve, people often at times ask about the efficacy of chiropractic treatments when it comes to treating a Pinched Sciatic Nerve.
Can A Chiropractor Help A Pinched Sciatic Nerve?
The answer to this question is, yes, an experienced chiropractor can definitely help a pinched sciatic nerve provided that the individual is a candidate for such treatment. To begin with, the chiropractor will review the patient’s history and conduct an examination of the affected area. The chiropractor will also examine any radiographs that might have been taken. This will help the chiropractor identify if the patient is a candidate for chiropractic treatment.
In case if the patient has conditions like cauda equina syndrome or has immensely high reflexes then the chiropractor may not deem the patient to be a candidate for treatment.
The principle on which chiropractic treatment is based is that restriction in movement is the main cause of pain. The treatment provided by the chiropractor caters to this issue of restricted movement of the spine by means of spine manipulations which help improve the movement of the spine and aligns them in such a way that the pressure that has developed on the sciatic nerve due to impingement decreases significantly resulting in relief of symptoms of a Pinched Sciatic Nerve. Other than this, utilization of ice and heat therapy is also a form of relieving the symptoms of a Pinched Sciatic Nerve.
In conclusion, chiropractic treatment has shown to be quite beneficial in treating Pinched Sciatic Nerve. This is done by spinal manipulation in which the spine is manipulated to its normal alignment and relieves the pressure off of the sciatic nerve.
Also Read:
