Experiencing a piercing pain down your legs? Alleviate symptoms of sciatica naturally with chiropractic care.
The sciatic nerve runs all the way from the buttocks to the toes.
Affecting up to 40% of people¹, discomfort known as sciatica can occur anywhere along this lengthy nerve if it is pinched. While mild sciatica may resolve on its own, more severe cases can cause chronic pain and weak muscles.
Thankfully, accurate diagnosis helps to soothe symptoms of sciatica. At Chiropractic Plus, we are highly qualified in delivering non-invasive, medication-free and personalised care to patients presenting with this pain. Get in touch with a chiropractor for sciatica in Newcastle to restore balance, function and comfort.
What is sciatica?
The sciatic nerve extends from the lower back, through each hip and down both legs before ending in each foot. As the body’s largest nerve, it is essential to your stability and motion.
Sciatica is pain experienced when your sciatic nerve is pinched. It can be felt anywhere along this nerve. Sciatica usually develops and intensifies over time, as opposed to after a standalone incident. And it doesn’t always go away on its own. Without appropriate intervention, sciatica can cause permanent damage to the sciatic nerve, in turn leading to a loss of sensation in your leg and even a lack of bowel and bladder control.
Understanding the symptoms of sciatica
Sciatica is most often only felt on one side of your body, ranging from mild aches to severe shocks.
More specifically, sciatica symptoms can include:
- A tingling or burning sensation down the leg
- Pain in the leg that intensifies when you sit down
- A weak or numb leg or foot that hinders movement
- A shooting pain that makes it difficult to stand
- A persistent ache on one side of your lower back
Don’t settle for life with sciatica. Chiropractic care offers natural techniques that target the soft tissues and joints. This can help to realign posture, restore proper function and alleviate nerve pressure for your comfort.
Chiropractic care for sciatica
Chiropractic adjustments
If your sciatica stems from a herniated disc, your chiropractor may use spinal adjustments to reposition misaligned vertebrae and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. This controlled, hands-on technique can include both high-velocity thrusts and slow, gentle manipulation. These targeted adjustments are a non-invasive way to lessen the nerve irritability that leads to symptoms of sciatica, like inflammation, spasms and shooting pains.
Spinal decompression
Discs can dry out and thin over time, in turn causing spine compression and pinched nerves. Spinal decompression is a non-surgical technique that slowly and gently stretches the spine with meticulous precision to create more space between your vertebrae. This relieves pressure on discs and nerves that are causing sciatica, providing immediate pain relief.
Massage therapy
As well as leveraging extensive knowledge of the entire musculoskeletal and nervous systems, our sciatica chiropractors work closely with massage therapists to help control your sciatic pain. We understand when, where and how to apply pressure that will enhance the healing process. Techniques such as myofascial trigger-point therapy and deep-tissue massage target painful points in myofascial or muscle tissue with firm, focused pressure. With relaxed muscles and a release of endorphins, you can enjoy natural pain relief.
Cold and heat therapies
To help you manage sciatic pain, your chiropractor may apply alternating cold and heat therapy to the affected area. The heat relieves tight muscles and dulls the aching, while the cold slows circulation to ease inflammation. Once we have pinpointed the root cause of your sciatica, our highly qualified team will know which method is most appropriate, whether both should be incorporated into your care and how frequently each one should be applied.
Ultrasound & laser therapy
With ultrasound, sound waves produce gentle heat that penetrates deep into your muscles. This boosts circulation and helps to calm spasms, swelling, cramping, stiffness, and other symptoms of sciatica. Alternatively, low-level laser therapy can also help to soothe sciatica by reducing irritation, inflammation and associated musculoskeletal pain.
Lifestyle advice
Our chiropractors for sciatica take a holistic approach to pain relief. We consider all day-to-day factors that could be compromising your comfort and functioning. Depending on the source of your sciatica, we may recommend certain ways to stand, sit, sleep, stretch and exercise. This can help to strengthen your back muscles, prevent slipped discs, relieve pressure and protect the sciatic nerve.
Meet our team
Meet our friendly team of massage therapists, chiropractors & support / management staff!
Dr John Bricker
Chiropractor
Dr Clairemarie Wilson
Chiropractor
Dr Peter Collins
Chiropractor
Dr Matthew Hoffmann
ChiropractorFrequently Asked Questions
Have questions about your next visit? We have you covered!
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What are the causes of sciatica?
Sciatica is most often a consequence of sciatic nerve compression, which is usually due to one of the following causes:
- Lumbar spine subluxations
- Herniated discs
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Spinal tumors
- Spinal arthritis
- Spondylolisthesis
- Spinal stenosis
- Myofascial dysfunction
- Non-spinal disorders like diabetes
- Piriformis syndrome
For example, the sciatic nerve runs under the piriformis muscle, which is connected to the thigh bone near the lower spine to support hip rotation. If this muscle is injured due to physical trauma, arthritis or different leg lengths, then it can cramp and spasm, pinching the sciatic nerve in the process.
Although the most suitable type of chiropractic care depends on the cause, sciatic pain tends to feel the same no matter its source. That’s why accurate diagnosis is vital to your recovery.
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Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes, a chiropractor can help with sciatica. To start, we will examine your spine, legs and medical history to determine the exact cause of your sciatica. Based on our findings, we will then recommend a personalised care plan that targets the underlying issue, soothes your symptoms and prevents further pain.
This program will encompass chiropractic techniques to realign the spine, release pressure on the pinched nerve and alleviate your pain. Modalities can include spinal manipulation, massage therapy, low-level laser therapy, spinal decompression and prescribed exercises to strengthen your back muscles.
To make an appointment with a chiropractor for sciatica pain relief, get in touch with the friendly team at Chiropractic Plus in Newcastle today.
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How many sessions do you need for sciatica with a chiropractor?
Sciatica takes time to resolve – a duration that depends on its cause and intensity, as well as the types of techniques that are suitable for you.
Therefore, some patients enjoy immediate pain relief during the first session, whereas others may take more time to feel an improvement.
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How often should you see a chiropractor for sciatica?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how often you should see a chiropractor for sciatica. The recommended frequency varies from several times a week to occasional ad-hoc appointments, depending on the cause of your sciatica and the severity of its symptoms.
Soothe back, hip and leg pain naturally with a chiropractor for sciatica in Newcastle
Book AppointmentReferences
Sciatica. David Davis; Kushagra Maini; Arvind Vasudevan: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
