Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, causing pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back down the legs. Chiropractic care can often help manage sciatica by improving spinal function and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Techniques such as spinal adjustments and rehabilitative exercises are used to help relieve pain and improve mobility for many people. While individual results vary, chiropractic care offers a natural, non-invasive approach that may provide relief for those experiencing sciatica symptoms. It’s important to consult a qualified chiropractor or healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and to determine the best course of treatment.
Sciatica is a common condition in the UK, affecting many adults, particularly those aged 30 to 50. It happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down your legs, gets irritated or compressed. This causes pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from your lower back through your buttocks and down your legs. The pain can be mild, but for some, it becomes sharp and intense, making it difficult to sit, stand, or move around comfortably.
Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment option for sciatica. Chiropractors focus on improving spinal function and relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. Through specific adjustments, hands-on techniques and rehabilitative exercises, they may help be able to help without the need for surgery or strong medications. Many people find help with sciatica after chiropractic treatment, helping them get back to their normal activities.
The financial costs of sciatica are considerable. The NHS spends a lot on treatments like GP visits, pain medication, and physiotherapy. Sciatica also leads to many missed workdays, causing businesses to lose productivity and individuals to lose income.
Sciatica can have a big impact on daily life, making it hard to work, exercise, or even sleep. Chiropractic care offer natural, non-invasive help.
Lewis et al. Comparative effectiveness of management strategies for sciatica: systematic review and network meta-analysis. The Spine Journal, 2015; 15: 1461-1477
Trauma Programme of Care Pathfinder Project – Low Back Pain and Radicular Pain: Report of the Clinical Group 17th December 2014
Sciatica is a condition that causes pain along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back, through your buttocks, and down the back of your legs. The main symptom of sciatica is a sharp, shooting pain that usually starts in the lower back and travels down one leg. The pain can vary from mild to severe and might feel like an electric shock or burning sensation.
Some people also experience tingling, numbness, or weakness in the affected leg or foot. Sitting for long periods, standing up, or sudden movements can often make the pain worse. In more serious cases, it can be hard to move the leg or foot properly, and some people may struggle with daily tasks like walking or bending over.
Sciatica can come and go, lasting for a few days or even months. For some, it can become a long-term issue that affects their ability to work, exercise, or enjoy everyday activities.
Sciatica is caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through your legs. The most common cause is a slipped or herniated disc, where the soft cushion between the spine bones bulges out and presses on, or irritates, the nerve. Other causes include bone spurs (bony growths) on the spine, narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis), or an injury that affects the lower back. Poor posture, being overweight, or sitting for long periods can also put extra pressure on the lower back and irritate the sciatic nerve, leading to pain that travels down the leg.
If you’re experiencing sciatica-like pain, it’s important to consult a qualified and statutorily registered health professional, like a chiropractor, to get an accurate diagnosis. While sciatica is usually caused by things like a slipped disc or nerve irritation, in rare cases, it can be a sign of a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome which is a medical emergency. This condition affects the nerves at the base of the spine and can cause symptoms like loss of bladder or bowel control and numbness in the legs. A chiropractor is trained to identify such serious causes and will ensure you get the right treatment or refer you for urgent medical care if needed.
Chiropractic care for sciatica uses a variety of techniques to help relieve pain and improve mobility. Hands-on methods, like spinal adjustments, may be used to improve spinal movement patterns and reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. Chiropractors may also use vey gentle passive techniques like Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT). This involves the patient laying face down with padded wedges placed in specific under the pelvis, helping to reduce nerve irritation that causes sciatica pain.
In addition to these treatments, chiropractors often recommend specific rehabilitative exercises and advice to strengthen muscles, improve flexibility, and support the spine. These exercises aim to help prevent future flare-ups by improving posture and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. Together, chiropractic care and exercises offer a natural, effective way to manage sciatica and improve quality of life.
