Chiropractors Can Help Sciatica

Sciatica — many patients seeking chiropractic come for just this reason, as the pain in the form of an ache, burn, or tingle can be debilitating. While the pain can’t usually be taken away immediately, it can be alleviated with proper chiropractic treatment for sciatica.

According to Steve Knauf, DC, executive director of chiropractic and compliance at The Joint Chiropractic, who also was appointed by the governor to serve on the Arizona Board of Chiropractic Examiners, “Sciatic pain can strongly affect the lifestyle of the person experiencing it. It is no wonder that a person with sciatic pain wants immediate pain relief.”

“Unfortunately, sciatic pain is not usually a quick fix,” Knauf says. “Responses to treatment can vary considerably from person to person even with the same diagnosis for cause. Lifestyle can also affect the speed of healing. Workplace ergonomics, stress, general health, age, and smoking can all affect the success and duration of treatment. This means that chiropractors must be well equipped to have conversations with patients, setting realistic expectations for recovery times and excel at encouraging patients to maintain their treatment plans. This can be difficult as many patients expect results immediately.”

So what can chiropractors do to help patients get relief?

“Chiropractic adjustments seek to increase range of motion, prevent fibrotic adhesions, restore proper alignment and decrease pain frequency and intensity,” he says. “Increased motion in the spine also helps remove inflammation and brings nutrition to the joints to allow for healing. Additionally, restored motion and proper structural alignment may take pressure off of structures that compress the nerve.”