Sciatic pain is one of the most common back pain issues, affecting up to 40% of the country. It’s a huge problem that can have devastating effects on daily life and limit the activities you can participate in.
Luckily, many sciatica chiropractic treatment techniques have proven to do wonders in solving these problems and getting patients back to their regular life- free of pain! A few visits and dedicated work at home can resolve the issues and hopefully put you in a better place moving forward.
Not all treatment plans will look the same, but we’ve put together a guide of the most common sciatica chiropractic treatment techniques.
1. Chiropractic Adjustment
The most common sciatic treatment is a chiropractic adjustment, where your provider performs spinal manipulations to get everything back in its proper place. This can often solve alignment issues and relieve the nerve from its pinched state.
Chiropractic adjustments are the reason you’d choose to see a chiropractor over another healthcare provider. They provide the most instant relief possible. Several different techniques are used across the country, so your chiropractor can cater your care to your exact needs and situation.
At our Littleton, CO chiropractic clinic, we specialize in Koren Specific Technique (KST). This technique is very gentle and very specific. To find out more, check out this article- Koren Specific Technique: The Ultimate Guide.
2. Spinal Decompression
While spinal manipulations have a great track record in sciatica treatment, sometimes, people need to do something additional. That’s why chiropractic care often also includes spinal decompression.
This is a technique used where the spine is stretched and elongated to promote correct positioning. Spinal decompression is often gentler than traditional spinal manipulations, where you get popping/cracking and can be more comfortable for the patient.
Remember, getting movement in the spine via a gentle, specific chiropractic adjustment, like KST, is needed before decompression of the spine. If you don’t have proper spinal motion, decompression is less effective.
3. Healthy Lifestyle Changes
An unfortunate aspect of sciatic pain is that it is sometimes caused by our everyday health choices, which means that it can continually come back if a change isn’t made quickly. Chiropractors can help you determine some lifestyle changes that would help eliminate the problem now and in the future.
Recommendations might include a diet that promotes reduced inflammation, weight loss, and posture cues to keep you upright. If you want to dive deeper into this area, we provide Functional Medicine-Based bloodwork to look at your specific case.
4. Strengthen Muscles
Strong back muscles are the best way to prevent this kind of pain from coming back again. The stronger your muscles are, the less likely you will find yourself out of alignment and with significant problems.
Your chiropractor may assign you very specific exercises that will help with your weak areas. Don’t skimp on the at-home regimen! Consistency is where you’ll see the best results and the most pain reduction!
Sciatica Chiropractic Treatment Techniques to Keep in Mind
Living with sciatic pain can often be unbearable. The limitations on everyday movements are not only physically painful but mentally draining as well. That’s why we always recommend seeing your chiropractor and starting with these sciatica chiropractic treatment techniques.
The sooner you start working with your provider to find the right solution for your body, the sooner you’ll have relief. There’s no reason to put it off and try to endure the pain.
If you need some relief from pain and want to learn more about our practices, contact us today!
