In my campaign to present you with qualified and scientifically approved treatments for sciatica, I present you with another most natural, reliable, safe, and economical method besides surgery (chiropractic).

A chiropractor can help with sciatica pain which involves natural therapies like stretching and applying pressure to your joints.

Chiropractic care can help reduce sciatica pain and improve mobility, but it can also help prevent sciatica pain from reoccurring in the future.

According to research, up to 50% of people are affected by this condition, which in mild cases goes away. Read more

As a chiropractor myself, I will be guiding you through this whole agenda of “Can a chiropractor help with sciatica? “, its workings, and its pros & cons.

chiropractic for lower back pain
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The chiropractic adjustment is a worth-paying, yet drug-free remedy to treat lower back pain when pain killers, heating pads, sleeping pillows, cushions, and other sciatica care items have complicated your life.

  • It is manual, so chiropractors recommend low-impact home exercises along with sciatica nutrition and a diet checklist to treat the root problem.

Chiropractic care has been endorsed by the National Institutes of Health as being generally safe, which may be enough for many people to consider it a viable option for treating sciatica.

👉 REMEMBER: A chiropractor must hold a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and be licensed to practice.

How does Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain Work?

The severity of sciatica varies greatly from person to person. For this reason, a chiropractor may ask about your medical history and pain.

In addition to manual therapies and spinal manipulation, you will also be expected to undergo an x-ray so he can diagnose any inflammation or pinching of the sciatic nerve.

Following is a breakdown of how this treatment works:

1. Diagnosis

To determine the underlying cause of your sciatica pain, a chiropractor will review your medical history and ask about your symptoms. Your X-ray may be examined to determine what is pinching your sciatic nerve.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments

During spinal manipulation, a herniated disk can be pushed back to relieve sciatic nerve pressure, thus restoring spinal movement and misaligned vertebrae disks. Chiropractors can apply gentle pressure with minimal force in a high-velocity thrust manner to create space between your sciatic nerve and vertebrae disks by gently moving the vertebrae in your lower back.

In addition to relieving pain, this approach can also ease muscle spasms.

3. Spinal Decomposition

A chiropractor may lengthen your spine to increase the space between your vertebrae as a result of spinal decompression resulting from the shrinking of the spinal disks.

4. Chiropractic Exercises

Chiropractors may recommend exercises that avoid sciatic nerve irritation and help relax tight muscles. He may also advise you to stay away from certain exercises that can pinch nerves.

5. Chiropractic Massage

A professional chiropractor knows the musculoskeletal system of your body; he knows where to apply the required pressure. The massage may help with:

  • Healing sciatica by relaxing the muscles
  • Inducing the release of endorphins to relieve the sensation of pain.

SEE: How to Massage Sciatica Trigger Points at Home?

6. Ice/ Heat Therapy

To reduce inflammation, your chiropractor might recommend either ice or heat therapy. You can read more on ice vs heat therapy for sciatica in my recent article.

7. Other Modalities

A chiropractor may also use ultrasound, low-level laser therapy, and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS).

Ultrasound produces sound waves that can penetrate deep into the tissues of your body. Healing can be facilitated by improving swelling, circulation, muscle spasms, and pain.

Low-level laser therapy may reduce irritation, pain, and swelling. TENS units work by stimulating the nerve to release endorphins and relax muscle spasms.

When do you Need to See a Chiropractor?

According to the American College of Physicians, chiropractic manipulation is a first-line defense against lower-back pain, before pain relievers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, injections, and surgery.

However, most patients coming to me have a variety of symptoms. Chiropractic treatment therefore cannot be applied to everyone.

In this case, it is important to examine the root cause. Here are some situations where chiropractic should not be used:

  1. During or right after certain surgical treatments.
  2. In some pregnancy situation
  3. Traumatic injuries
  4. Back pain in addition to other issues

Consultancy plays a vital role where your chiropractor will uncover symptoms by addressing the hidden causes.😊

Pros & Cons of Chiropractic Treatment for Lower Back Pain

  • Eradicates the root cause
  • Non-invasive, natural, non-surgical
  • No side-effects
  • More energy
  • Reduce Stress
  • Reduce Stress
  • Worth-paying
  • Strengthen immune system
  • Treats digestive system
  • Optimizes the lactic acid in the body
  • Might be expensive without insurance
  • If done by an experienced chiropractor, there is a chance of joint and spinal injury

How Much Does a Chiropractor Cost?

With Insurance: The out-of-pocket costs for patients with health insurance are usually copays for doctor visits, prescription drug copays, or coinsurance of 10%-50%.

Without Insurance: If patients do not have health insurance, treatment for sciatica can range from $500 for warm compresses, over-the-counter or prescription pain medications, and rest; it may cost $60-$400 per session, for a total of hundreds or thousands of dollars.

👉  NOTE: The terms and conditions may apply as per the respective chiropractor you visit.

How Long does this Treatment take to Work?

Nobody can generalize chiropractic treatment because the length of time it takes depends on the severity of the condition, the chiropractor’s expertise, as well as other factors.

In a study published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics, sciatica patients saw a chiropractor three times a week for 4 weeks, then every week after that, and then tapering off once their symptoms had been relieved.

Yes, after a visit or two, you will be able to see if your sciatica is going away or persisting?

In case your sciatica symptoms don’t disappear, talk to your doctor or change your treatment.

Make sure you consult with your expert and decide if you are able to commit to regular sessions?

Acupuncture vs Chiropractor: Which is Better?

The main difference between the two is that chiropractors work to align your spine in the right way and promote healing. While needles used in acupuncture are used to stimulate blood flow in the sciatic nerves and relieve pain.

Both treatments are natural with zero side effects.

Reduce Sciatic Pain Naturally?

Apart from chiropractic, acupuncture, and other natural remedies. Here are some lifestyle changes you can apply to reduce pain:

FAQs

Can my sciatica get worse with chiropractic care?

No, chiropractic care is considered safe with minimal side effects.

Can you see a chiropractor while pregnant?

Chiropractic treatment is medicine-free so considered safe during pregnancy to cure lower back pain.

Can you see a chiropractor without insurance?

You can. But without insurance, the cost is really high (rating from $60 to $400 per session).

Can you see a chiropractor and physical therapist at the same time?

Yes, physical therapists, chiropractors, and physicians work simultaneously with sciatic patients to improve joint mobility and strength.

Can you see a chiropractor after cervical fusion?

Chiropractic treatment after cervical fusion is completely safe. In contrast to other treatments that are prohibited after surgery, this natural treatment is effective in improving overall sciatic health.

My Verdict

As a chiropractor, I am seeing an increasing number of patients with sciatica, everyone. People do not pay attention to this problem until it has become entrenched and made treatment more difficult. Hence, the early diagnosis of this health problem is crucial.

In the end, you must go through the proper process that reveals the actual issue, whether it be a lifestyle issue or a serious medical one. Do your research before choosing a physician, therapist, chiropractor, or acupuncturist to avoid crying over spilled milk.

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