Sciatica is marked by a shooting pain from a person’s lower back down to his or her legs. It’s common and can range from very mild to very painful. The majority of patients suffering from sciatic pain can find relief through chiropractic care, which manipulates the spine to relieve pressure.
Sciatica is an ailment that chiropractors in Belmar and Freehold help solve for patients every day, according to Dr. TJ Abrams at Thrive Spine and Sports Rehabilitation in Belmar, NJ.
Basics of Sciatica
For this type of pain or injury, it all comes down to the sciatic nerve. This nerve travels from the lower back and buttocks down each person’s leg. Sciatica patients often feel the pain in this area or in the hips and calf muscles.
While this is a common sort of pain, sciatica is not the same for every patient—it’s a broad term for nerve pain in this region. The diagnosis of a root cause makes each person’s case a little bit different.
So how does sciatica start? There are two main causes:
- A herniated disc (“slipped disc”) or spinal stenosis
- A bone overgrowth (bone spur) around the lower spine (lumbar nerve roots)
Pain can range from very mild to sharp, shooting pain, and even numbness or “pins-and-needles.” Symptoms often occur anywhere along the sciatic nerve pathway—from the lower back, to the buttocks, hips, back of the legs, and calf.
Often the pain is felt when coughing, laughing, making sudden movements, or sitting for long periods. A chiropractor or physical therapist is necessary to diagnose the root cause and provide a custom plan for relief.
The Benefits of Chiropractic Therapy for Sciatica
The main benefit of working with a chiropractor for sciatica is diagnosing the root cause of the pain. Chiropractors find that cause and then create a custom plan for relief.
Once enacted, a chiropractic plan for sciatica can provide:
- Increased circulation
- Improved posture
- Pain relief around trigger points
- Better connection between nerves, muscles, and joints
- Root-cause diagnosis without MRI
- Healing over time without invasive surgery or pain-numbing drugs
In most cases, sciatica from a herniated disc can resolve within a few months. Chiropractors help by relieving pressure on the discs that cushion the vertebrae in the lower spine.
While athletes may experience sciatic pain from general wear-and-tear, this diagnosis is usually found in older adults due to arthritis or bone spurs.
There are many root causes and various symptoms, so clinicians may prescribe services such as:
- Varied chiropractic adjustments
- Spinal manipulation
- Therapeutic muscle stretching and strengthening
- Lifestyle changes and patient education
- Decompression table (for radiculopathy)
- Soft-tissue work and gluteus stretching
- PNF (Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation) active stretching and isometric contraction
- Post-isometric relaxation
- Nerve glides and nerve flossing
Are you finally ready to live pain-free?
Learn more about Chiropractic in Belmar and Chiropractic in Freehold.
Or call us at 732-359-7440 to schedule an appointment.
Possible Side-Effects of Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
Pain from sciatica results from pressure on the sciatic nerve. Chiropractors manipulate the body to stimulate relief and teach patients how to move to heal.
Adjustments can cause pain—any acute pain during treatment should never exceed the chronic pain that brought you in.
Chiropractic care can also cause muscle soreness, dizziness, faintness, and drowsiness. Eat a healthy meal and drink plenty of water before your session, move slowly afterward, and stretch to alleviate these effects.
Honesty is key: let your chiropractor know your comfort level and describe your pain accurately to get the best results.
Living with Sciatic Pain
Living with sciatica means operating at less than 100%—pain during sports, work, or play may worsen the condition.
Symptoms can include:
- Mild pain akin to a leg cramp
- Sharp, shooting or knife-like pain
- Severe pain and leg weakness
- Further complications like bowel or bladder changes
Living in pain can lead to invasive surgery or reliance on pain-numbing drugs—short-term fixes that carry harmful side-effects and don’t address the root cause.
The Chiropractic Approach to Healing Sciatica at Thrive
A custom, multi-faceted approach is necessary for sciatica, according to the team at Thrive Spine and Sports Rehabilitation in Belmar and Freehold, NJ.
At Thrive, the first appointment involves:
- A thorough conversation to gather symptoms and history.
- Palpation to identify the root cause.
- A baseline strength/muscle test and goal-setting.
- A treatment timeframe and step-by-step plan.
For example, a patient may show hamstring numbness and weakness during the muscle test.
“We affect the musculoskeletal system and nervous system through adjustments that send a reflex into and back from the spinal cord. This calms the joint and surrounding tissue.”
Dr. TJ Abrams, Thrive’s chiropractor
Chiropractic care is about strengthening the body. It fits into a broader wellness plan that can include:
- Cold plunge
- Sauna
- Electro acupuncture and dry needling
- Massage
- And more…
FAQs
How does sciatica start?
Sciatica can start from a bone spur causing radiculopathy or, more commonly, from disc irritation, herniation, or bulging. Poor biomechanics, Piriformis muscle issues, overuse, or prolonged sitting can also trigger it.
Who needs chiropractic care for sciatica?
Sciatica most often occurs in individuals 30 years or older, as well as athletes, laborers, and sedentary individuals.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is irritation of the sciatic nerve, causing pain down the lower back. There are two types: radiculopathy (nerve root encroachment) and neuropathy (irritation outside the spinal cord). Diagnosis and treatment depend on the specific type and root cause.
What chiropractic services are prescribed for sciatica patients?
Services may include adjustments, spinal manipulation, muscle stretching and strengthening, lifestyle changes, decompression table treatments, soft-tissue work, PNF, post-isometric relaxation, and nerve glides/flossing.
How long does it take to feel the effects of chiropractic care for sciatica?
Treatment varies by individual. Usually, one session won’t cure sciatic pain. Chiropractors often recommend 1–2 sessions per week for 6+ weeks and create a custom plan to achieve your goals.
What are the disadvantages of chiropractic therapy for sciatica?
Possible disadvantages include muscle soreness, discomfort, acute pain during sessions, dizziness, and drowsiness. There’s also a small chance of re-injury during adjustments, but risks are minimal with a qualified professional.
Are you finally ready to live pain-free?
Learn more about Chiropractic in Belmar and Chiropractic in Freehold.
Or call us at 732-359-7440 to schedule an appointment.
