Can Chiropractic Help with Sciatica?
Dr. Park practicing Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) extensions for the low back.
By Andy Park DC,
Dynamic Neuromuscular Stabilization (DNS) Specialist.
Can Chiropractic Help with Sciatica?
What is sciatica?
To start off, let us talk about what sciatica is in the first place. Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve originates from the lower back, running through the buttocks (under or through the piriformis muscle) and down the back of each leg. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness along its path.
Sciatica is typically caused by compression of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine (lower back) due to conditions such as a herniated disc, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), degenerative disc disease, or a bone spur on the spine. Other factors such as muscle spasms, injury, or certain lifestyle habits like prolonged sitting or heavy lifting can also contribute to sciatic nerve irritation.
Symptoms of sciatica can vary in severity and may include:
Pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttocks and down one leg (rarely both legs)
Sharp, shooting pain that may worsen with movement or prolonged sitting
Numbness or tingling sensation in the leg or foot
Weakness in the affected leg or foot
Treatment for sciatica depends on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. It may include pain management techniques, physical therapy, chiropractic care, medications, and in some cases, surgery.
How do Chiropractors help with Sciatica?
Now that we know what sciatica is, how do chiropractors treat sciatica cases, how can they help resolve bouts of sciatica? Chiropractors often work with patients experiencing sciatica, which is typically caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic care can involve spinal adjustments, manual therapies, exercises, and lifestyle advice aimed at reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve and improving overall spinal health. before starting any therapies however, a chiropractor will start off with taking the patient through an exam and perform tests and assessments to better understand what may be causing the pain. Knowing what is likely causing the issue is essential to knowing what type of therapy will be most effective for a given patient or case. Based on the result of those tests, as mentioned before, a chiropractor may apply chiropractic adjustments, have you do exercises (back extensions with a twist for example aka. McKenzie method or MDT) aimed at reducing any pain or symptoms being caused by a bulging disc, and make sure that your spine is being properly supported. The chiropractor to improve stability of the spine by having the patient improve motor coordination of the muscles of the lower extremity and core as to better support the spine and reduce further injury risk.
What is MDT or the McKenzie Method?
MDT stands for Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy, which is a comprehensive approach to assessing and treating musculoskeletal conditions, particularly those involving the spine. It was developed by Robin McKenzie, a New Zealand physical therapist, in the 1950s.
MDT therapy is based on a thorough assessment of the patient's symptoms, movements, and responses to specific mechanical loading strategies. The main principle of MDT is to classify patients into specific subgroups based on the way their symptoms respond to various movements and positions. These subgroups include:
Derangement Syndrome: Patients with derangement syndrome experience changes in their symptoms based on certain movements or positions. MDT therapists use repeated movements and positions to both assess and treat these patients, often guiding them through specific exercises or movements aimed at centralizing or abolishing their symptoms.
Dysfunction Syndrome: Patients with dysfunction syndrome typically experience pain or stiffness in certain directions or movements but do not exhibit changes in symptoms with repeated movements. Treatment for dysfunction syndrome often involves specific exercises or mobilizations aimed at improving mobility and reducing pain.
Postural Syndrome: Patients with postural syndrome experience pain or discomfort due to prolonged poor posture or sustained positions. MDT therapists focus on correcting posture and providing education on ergonomics and proper body mechanics to alleviate symptoms.
Other Subgroups: In addition to these main subgroups, MDT therapy also considers other less common presentations, such as nerve root compression or instability.
MDT therapy emphasizes patient education and empowerment, as patients are taught how to manage their symptoms independently through specific exercises and self-care strategies. The goal of MDT therapy is to provide a targeted and individualized approach to treating musculoskeletal conditions, with the aim of reducing pain, improving function, and preventing recurrence.
MDT therapy is commonly used by physical therapists and other healthcare professionals trained in the McKenzie Method, and it has been shown to be effective for a variety of musculoskeletal conditions, including low back pain, neck pain, and extremity pain.
How do Adjustments help Sciatica?
Chiropractic adjustments, also known as spinal manipulative therapy, are a cornerstone of chiropractic care and involve the manual manipulation of the spine to improve alignment and function. While the exact mechanisms are not fully understood, chiropractic adjustments may help relieve sciatica by addressing underlying issues in the spine that contribute to nerve compression or irritation. Here's how chiropractic adjustments may help with sciatica:
Improving Spinal Function: Chiropractors focus on mobilizing and restoring function of the muscles and soft tissues supporting the vertebrae in the spine to improve movement quality and reduce joint fixations/ restrictions that may be stressing the sciatic nerve roots mechanically or chemically.
Reducing Inflammation: Chiropractic adjustments may help reduce inflammation around the sciatic nerve. By restoring normal joint function and movement, adjustments can promote better circulation and drainage of inflammatory substances, potentially alleviating pain and discomfort.
Muscle Relaxation: Chiropractic adjustments can also help relax tight muscles in the lower back and buttocks, which may contribute to sciatic nerve compression. By releasing tension in surrounding muscles, adjustments may provide relief from sciatica-related muscle spasms and discomfort.
Preventing Recurrence: Regular chiropractic care may help prevent future episodes of sciatica by maintaining proper spinal function and addressing underlying issues that contribute to nerve compression. Chiropractors often provide lifestyle advice, ergonomic recommendations, and exercises to support spinal health and reduce the risk of sciatica recurrence.
A reminder, as we mentioned earlier that the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments for sciatica can vary depending on factors such as the underlying cause of sciatica, the severity of symptoms, and individual response to treatment. Chiropractic care is often used as part of a multidisciplinary approach to managing sciatica.
What to do Next if you are Experiencing Sciatica?
If you are experiencing sciatica symptoms what should you do next? An easy next step would be to schedule a FREE discovery phone call to chat with one of the doctors to see if you qualify to be a patient here at our office and if we would be a good fit. In order to schedule that call simply click on the link here!
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