The Benefits of Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

The largest nerve in the entire body is the sciatic nerve. Five nerve roots from the lower back joint together to form this nerve, and it passes from the back, through the hips, and into the legs. The sciatic nerve is best known for causing sciatica, which is any type of pain or neurological issue that originates from the sciatic nerve. In most cases, sciatica pain begins in the lower back and then travels down one side of the body, affecting the hip, buttocks, and leg. Sometimes, sciatica pain is severe, while other times it is merely an annoyance. No matter what level of frustration or pain you’re experiencing from your sciatica, know that you can treat it naturally and effectively with neurologically-based chiropractic care.

How Does Chiropractic Impact Sciatica?

Sciatica pain can come about from a number of different causes, from a herniated disc to spinal stenosis. It can also come about from moving the wrong way too abruptly, sitting or standing in the same position for too long, and other lifestyle and environmental factors.

Most individuals will reach for pain medication to deal with sciatica pain, but unfortunately, that only brings about a short-term improvement and doesn’t actually correct the root of the problem. When the sciatic nerve is compressed, pinched, or inflamed, it can lead to pain along its pathway. Typically, the problem in the nerve is due to a musculoskeletal issue, which chiropractors are experts at treating. Oftentimes, a simple chiropractic adjustment is all that is needed to remove the compression on the sciatic nerve and bring about relief to an individual suffering from sciatica pain.

Other times, particularly when inflammation of the nerve or a herniated disc is the cause, individuals need more long-term care to correct a substantial underlying issue. Think about it this way: if you have had a misalignment in your spine for ten years and over time, that misalignment has slowly contributed to inflammation and compression of the sciatic nerve, that root issue cannot be fixed with just one adjustment. It took years for your body to get to the point of sciatica pain, and it may take a little while to correct the problem that caused that pain.

Chiropractic care not only impacts the muscles and bones surrounding the sciatic nerve, but it also plays a big role in the overall health of the nervous system, which also contributes to sciatica. When the nervous system is firing on all cylinders, the brain can send messages to other parts of the body effectively and efficiently, allowing the body’s systems to work properly. But when the brain’s messages are interrupted, such as when there is a compressed or inflamed nerve, the body does not receive the message or respond to it properly, bringing about dysfunction, pain, and disease.

Des Moines Chiropractic for Sciatica Relief and More

Des Moines chiropractor Dr. Paige Roth is an expert in both the musculoskeletal system and the central nervous system, and her technique of adjusting is both effective and gentle. Being under chiropractic care will bring about relief from sciatica pain, as well as a variety of other common ailments that are connected to nervous system function. Additionally, Des Moines chiropractic care can improve your overall health substantially, elevating your life to a whole new level of wellness.

To learn more about neurologically-based chiropractic care in Des Moines, contact Dr. Paige and her team at True Roots Chiropractic today.