Doctors of Chiropractic (DC) medicine regularly treat sciatica. Sciatica is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity and frequency; minimal, moderate, severe and occasional, intermittent, frequent, or constant.
Sciatic pain can be described as dull, achy, sharp, toothache-like, pins and needles, or similar to electric shock-like shooting leg pain. Other sciatica symptoms may include burning, numbness, and tingling sensations. Sciatica is also called radiating or referred pain, neuropathy, or neuralgia. A misconception is that sciatica is a disorder—however, sciatica is really a symptom of a disorder.
Sciatica Is Caused by Nerve Compression
Sciatica is generally caused by sciatic nerve compression. Spinal disorders are known to cause sciatic nerve pain include lumbar spine subluxations (misaligned vertebral body), herniated or bulging discs (slipped discs), pregnancy, and childbirth, spinal tumors, and non-spinal disorders such as diabetes, constipation, or sitting on one's back pocket wallet.
The common cause of sciatica is piriformis syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, or a difference in leg length. Such situations can cause piriformis muscle cramping and spasm to develop pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain.
Sciatic nerve compression may result in the loss of feeling (sensory loss), paralysis of a single limb or group of muscles (monoplegia), and insomnia.
Proper Diagnosis of Sciatica Is Essential
Since there are many disorders that cause sciatica, the chiropractor's first step is to determine what is causing sciatica. Forming a diagnosis involves a thoughtful review of the patient's medical history and a physical and neurological examination.
Diagnostic testing may include an x-ray, MRI, CT scan, and/or electrodiagnostic tests (electromyography or EMG and nerve conduction velocity or NCV). These tests help to detect possible contraindications to spinal adjustments and other chiropractic therapies.
Chiropractic Treatment of Sciatica Symptoms
The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body's potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free.
The type of chiropractic therapy provided depends on the cause of the patient's sciatica. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS, and spinal adjustments (sometimes called spinal manipulation). Below are more details on these chiropractic treatment modalities.
Ice/Cold therapy reduces inflammation and helps to control sciatic pain.
Ultrasound produces gentle heat created by sound waves that penetrate deep into soft tissues (eg, muscles). Ultrasound increases circulation and helps reduce muscle spasms, cramping, swelling, stiffness, and sciatic pain.
TENS unit (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) is a small box-like, battery-powered, portable muscle stimulating machine. Variable intensities of electrical current control acute pain and reduce muscle spasms. Larger versions of the home-use TENS units are used by chiropractors, physical therapists, and other rehab professionals.
Adjustments (Spinal Manipulation) At the core of chiropractic care are spinal adjustments. Manipulation frees restricted movement of the spine and helps restore misaligned vertebral bodies (subluxation) to their proper position in the spinal column. Spinal adjustment helps reduce nerve irritability responsible for inflammation, muscle spasm, pain, and other symptoms related to sciatica. Adjustments should not be painful. Spinal manipulation is proven to be safe and effective.
In college and during their training, students of chiropractic learn many different adjustment techniques enabling them to treat several types of subluxations and disorders. Techniques vary from a swift high-velocity thrust to those that combine minimal force and gentle pressure. Mastery of each technique is an art that requires great skill and precision. Spinal manipulation is the treatment that differentiates chiropractic care from other medical disciplines.
Chiropractic Limitations in Treating Sciatica
Sciatica can be caused by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic practice. If the doctor of chiropractic determines the patient's disorder requires treatment by another type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another specialty. In some cases, the referring chiropractor may continue to treat the patient and co-manage the patient's care with the other specialist.
Credit: Spine Universe