What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a nerve related diagnosis that Harvard estimates affects about 40% of the adult population, in one form or another, every year. The symptoms can range from mild pain in the glutes that radiates down the leg, to severe pain and weakness, keeping the person bent over in an antalgic position. Medical intervention is symptomatic relief (using pain killers, anti-inflammatories, and muscle relaxers) at best, with the more severe treatments (surgery) costing up to $150,000. None of the medical approaches actually resolve the underlying cause of sciatica, just mask the symptoms / effects. Many people search for alternative, less toxic, and less invasive means to resolve their sciatica issues. We get calls daily from people asking “Can Chiropractic help sciatica?” The good news is…. YES!!!!
Chiropractic can help sciatica by correcting the cause
In general, Sciatica has 2 main causes: A) a subluxated low back bone (lumbar) , that creates pressure on the nerve root, as it leaves the spine, or B) a bulging / herniated lumbar disc compressing the nerve root as the nerve leaves the spine. Usually, it is the combination of both that creates the chronic conditions that produce sciatica over time.
Instead of directly addressing the pain of sciatica, chiropractors should be looking to correct the biomechanical CAUSE. By adjusting the subluxated bone of the spine, we: A) take the hard bone off the soft nerve, and B) realign the spine back to its ideal position. When the bones go back to their ideal position, the discs also begin to go back to their ideal condition, because the high stress created by the subluxation misalignment is corrected.
Restoring Quality of Life – the outcomes that matter
This case was one of severe sciatica due to chronic bone subluxation, degeneration, and disc involvement. His medical doctors wanted to perform spinal surgery because of the degeneration. He crawled in asking if chiropractic can help sciatica.
For a man in his 70’s, expectations were low for a significant improvement in spinal alignment. We followed chiropractic adjusting principles. We performed McKenzie Disc protocols. After 6 months of corrective care, he was snowboarding again, playing Pickle Ball, and had regained his full 6’4″ height.
***** He recently came back to visit and to give us an update. He has not had a relapse or recurrent episode since receiving care, and has continued to exercise and lead an active lifestyle. Chiropractic can help sciatica. Not just take away your symptoms, but more importantly, restore your Quality of Life, by helping you participate in those Activities of Daily Living, that make life worth Living!!!!*****