How Chiropractic Care In Portland Can Help With Sciatica

Sciatica is a term used to describe nerve pain in the leg that is caused by irritation and/or compression of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica originates in the lower back, radiates deep into the buttock, and travels down the leg. Learn more by contacting your Portland chiropractors today or continue reading below.

What does it feel like?

There’s the very obvious burning or electric like pain, then, numbness and/or weakness, worsening of symptoms or difficulty while in certain specific positions and, considering sciatica usually affects only one side, one sided heaviness on the affected side.

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica usually occurs when a disk has slipped or herniated, falling onto the nerve and pinching it, causing pain signals to flare up in the brain and only worsens unless the pressure is removed.

Who is at risk of getting sciatica?

1. Those with physical jobs, requiring heavy lifting.
2. Those with diabetes as diabetes increases nerve damage chances.
3. Those who smoke, as smoking causes spinal tissue damage.
4. Those with osteoarthritis
5. Those that are obese
6. Those leading an unhealthy lifestyle, staying seated for a long time damages the spine.

Almost everyone has a chance at getting sciatica as your bone strength decreases over time, as you age. It comes down to probability in this matter.

How to treat sciatica?

Well, there's the over the counter medications to give temporary relief. Then, there’s the more serious treatments of different types of surgeries, lifetime medications and then there’s chiropractic treatments.
Non invasive, pain free, Effective chiropractic treatments.

What is chiropractic treatment?

Chiropractic is a type of treatment wherein there is pressure applied to different parts of the body or the spine to manipulate it using different pressures or temperatures and heal the body, naturally.

How can chiropractic treat sciatica?

There’s a lot of different ways by which a chiropractor can treat sciatica, these include spinal adjustments, ultrasound therapy, Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation.

Spinal adjustments or manipulations are at the very core of chiropractic treatments and includes realigning the spine so as to relieve the pressure and movement restriction allowing the body to function better and more freely. For sciatica, this method helps reduce the pain tremendously.

Ultrasound therapy for sciatica involves sending soundwaves deep into the skin at a wavelength that humans can’t hear. These soundwaves produce a low heat which soothes the muscles, reduces pain, stimulates circulation, reduces cramping, etc. Reducing the effects of sciatica while the body naturally heals itself with the nutrient gained from the increased circulation.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation involves employing the TENS unit small battery powered portable electric box which send small amounts of electric currents at different intensities to control and relieve the pain.

Chiropractors could also provide nutritional recommendations or provide exercises to follow depending upon the severity of the sciatica, cause and the lifestyle and habits of the patient.

Sciatica is a very normal but very troublesome issue when left untreated.
So if any of you or your family or friends are experiencing sciatic pain, call your nearest chiropractic and you will be glad you did.