Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica

You may consider going to a chiropractic doctor for sciatica treatment. Doctors of Chiropractic believe the body has the potential to heal itself. Prior to treatment, your chiropractor will ask you questions about your medical history, perform a physical examination, and may obtain an x-ray or other imaging study, like an MRI. A thorough examination is part of good chiropractic care.

Chiropractors offer non-invasive and drug-free therapies to treat sciatica. Your treatment plan may include:

• Ice/cold therapy: To help reduce inflammation, the chiropractor may have you use ice or a cold pack to control your pain from sciatica.
• Spinal Manipulation (Adjustments): Chiropractors use spinal manipulation techniques to realign your spine. This is what separates chiropractors from other doctors. Parts of your misaligned spine may be causing inflammation, muscle spasms, pain, and other sciatica symptoms. Manipulation may help reduce nerve irritability.
• TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation): A TENS unit transmits a painless electrical current to nerves through your skin to help manage pain. Small electrode patches are placed on or near the painful area. Although your chiropractor's TENS equipment is large, many patients are given a small portable unit that may attach to your belt. TENS helps relieve muscle spasms, stiffness, helps improve mobility, and pain by prompting your body to produce endorphins, the body's natural pain killer.
• Ultrasound: By increasing blood circulation, an ultrasound helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and pain. It does this by sending sound waves deep into your muscle tissues, creating a gentle heat that enhances circulation and healing.

Sometimes the cause of sciatica is beyond the scope of chiropractic care. If this is the case, your chiropractor will refer you to the appropriate specialist.