What Is The Science Behind Chiropractic Work?

Chiropractic work is a holistic health approach that helps alleviate low back pain symptoms, numbness, weakness, tingling, and headaches. By using controlled spinal pressure to ‘realign’ certain vertebrae, chiropractors can treat any misalignments in the spinal column that have occurred from repetitive motions, traumas, and genetic disorders. 

If you experience shooting pain that originates in your low back and shoots down your legs, don’t worry – a chiropractor can help you. This shooting pain originates from the sciatic nerve due to a trapped nerve, pinched nerve, or herniated disc. 

Chiropractic care can gently and naturally provide relief for nerve pain and muscle weakening. With no harmful side effects that can originate from using ‘traditional’ and modern medicine, the holistic nature of chiropractic work helps heal your entire body by aligning your spine.

What is sciatica?

One of the most common ailments that can be treated using chiropractic work is sciatica. Sciatica occurs from sciatic pain associated with the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body running from the buttocks down to the tips of your toes. The nerve pain can originate from a disc herniation, genetic syndrome, trigger point referral, or pinched nerve. 

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Symptoms of sciatica

When visiting your chiropractor, telling a professional the symptoms of your sciatica can help them pinpoint the origin of the pain and quickly fix the issue. The most common symptoms are:

  • Leg pain that increases when sitting
  • Numbness, weakness, or difficulties moving your feet or legs
  • Pain that makes it difficult to stand up or walk
  • Consistent aches on your lower back
  • Tingling or burning sensation down your legs

Causes of sciatica

There are common medical conditions that can cause sciatica. If you have one of these conditions, visiting a chiropractor can help reduce some of the pain and discomfort you are feeling in your lower back and legs. 

  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Muscle spasms
  • Lumbar degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Herniated lumbar disc
  • Sacroiliac joint dysfunction
  • Spinal tumors

Chiropractic Work For Sciatica

There are many ways in which chiropractic work can help the cause, symptoms, and after-effects of sciatic on the body. 

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  • Diagnosis – Chiropractic care helps diagnose and pinpoint the cause of the pain. If you experience sciatica, a chiropractor will evaluate your medical history to help the body heal itself using non-invasive measures.
  • Massage therapy – Chiropractic massage helps relieve sciatica pain by relaxing muscles and releasing endorphins to help with the pain. Chiropractic massage helps soothe and heal sciatica by applying pressure to the right parts of the musculoskeletal system.
  • Hot and cold therapy – Alternating between hot and cold therapy provides quick relief from sciatica pain by releasing tight muscles and slowing down the blood flow to reduce inflammation.
  • Ultrasound – Chiropractors can use ultrasound to improve circulation, reduce cramping, prevent swelling, and cure muscle spasms.
  • Adjustments – Chiropractic work is based on spinal manipulations to help relieve a herniated disc and sciatica symptoms. The adjustments can help improve range of motion, restore misaligned discs, and regain nerve signal flow. 

Conclusion

Chiropractic practices use proven science to help remedy sciatica symptoms, like tingling, numbness, shooting pain, weakness, backaches, and difficulties sitting and standing. Using methods like massage therapy, hot and cold therapy, ultrasound, and adjustments, chiropractors can adjust the spinal column to alleviate pain associated with sciatica.