Chiropractic Solutions for Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Many people experience nagging low back pain and automatically assume it’s sciatica. Yes, these conditions are often related, but they have different causes and symptoms that require targeted treatments. To get lasting relief from your discomfort, it’s essential to first understand the distinction between low back pain and sciatica and know how chiropractic care can alleviate both.

So, How Do They Differ?

Low back pain refers to discomfort that originates in the lumbar region of your spine and is caused by poor posture, heavy lifting, or muscle strain. On the other hand, sciatica specifically involves irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through your legs. Sciatica causes sharp, shooting pain that radiates down one leg, often accompanied by numbness or tingling.

Dr. Michelle Pickett explains, “People often say, ‘My low back hurts; I think it’s my sciatic acting up,’ but they don’t even really know what the sciatic nerve is. The general population just associates the two, but it’s extremely common.”

Common Symptoms to Watch For

Although low back discomfort and sciatica share similarities, their symptoms can help differentiate them. Low back pain is typically limited to the lumbar region and can worsen with certain movements. Sciatica, however, causes discomfort that radiates from the lower back down to the leg and sometimes even reaches the toes. If you feel radiating pain or numbness in your leg, it’s more likely to be sciatica rather than general back pain.

How Chiropractic Care Helps

Chiropractic adjustments improve the functioning of your joints and your spine, helping to relieve the pressure off of the nerve to allow the communication from your brain to the rest of your body to function properly Dr. Michelle

She always describes it to patients as like a water hose with a crimp that prevents the spine from functioning properly. “The nerve signals from your brain to the rest of your body can’t get through, and that’s why we feel the pain in our arms and legs; it’s because the communication is cut off,” adds Dr. Michelle.

When the water hose is crimped, the water can’t flow through. It’s the same thing with your spine; when it’s not functioning properly, the nerves cannot do their job and send the appropriate signal, so they send pain signals.

Fortunately, chiropractic care offers an effective, non-invasive treatment option for both low back pain and sciatica. By focusing on spinal alignment, chiropractors can relieve nerve compression and reduce discomfort.

Treatments at our clinic typically involve the following:

• Spinal Adjustments to correct misalignments and improve joint function
• Traction Therapy to gently stretch the spine and create space for discs to decompress
• Soft Tissue Therapy to relax muscles around the affected area, enhancing recovery

The Importance of Preventive Measures

Dr. Michelle offers these tips to minimize the chances of developing or worsening low back pain and sciatica:

• Practice proper posture, especially when sitting or standing for long periods.
• Lift objects with your legs, not your back, to avoid straining muscles.
• Stay active and include regular stretching or light exercise to keep your spine and muscles strong.