If you’re one of the 8 in 10 people who’ve struggled with back pain, you know how debilitating it can be. Low back pain can make you miss work, disturb your sleep, and even make day-to-day living a challenge.
The good news? Around 90% of people suffering from lower back pain recover within six weeks. The trouble is, dealing with low back and sciatica pain for even a few weeks can feel like an eternity.
Luckily, holistic treatments like chiropractic care can relieve sciatic pain and low back pain. That way you can get back to living life sooner.
Common Causes of Low Back Pain
Low back pain can be lumped into two categories: acute and chronic.
Acute pain is short-term and lasts anywhere between a few days to a few weeks. Chronic low back pain lingers longer, lasting over 12 weeks.
Some low back is caused by muscle sprains and strains. This could be due to sports injuries or from lifting a heavy load.
Certain lifestyle factors can also put you at increased risk of low back pain, including:
- Poor posture: Chronic slouching puts pressure on your spine. This can weaken your lower back muscles.
- Smoking: The more someone smokes, the higher their risk of back pain.
- Sedentary lifestyles: Lack of movement can weaken and stiffen muscles in the lower back, which may trigger pain.
- Obesity: Being overweight or obese put you at higher risk of back pain. This is because excess weight puts extra stress on your spine.
Many medical conditions can cause low back pain as well, such as:
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Scoliosis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Ankylosing spondylitis
- Endometriosis
- Fibromyalgia
- Kidney stones
Pinched nerves and herniated discs can also trigger low back pain, including sciatica.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is nerve pain that happens when the sciatic nerve gets irritated. Your sciatic nerve starts in your lower back and travels down your legs.
Any condition that pinches the sciatic nerve can lead to sciatica. The most common cause is herniated discs. But when the vertebrae are out of alignment, it can cause sciatica too.
How do I know if my lower back pain is sciatica?
Good question! Sciatica causes painful shooting and burning sensations that stem from your buttocks.
So if you’re literally feeling a pain in the butt, sciatica may be to blame. Sciatica pain may also radiate down your leg toward your foot.
Usually, sciatic nerve pain only happens on one side of the body. Some people also experience pins and needles sensations along the sciatic nerve.
Can a Chiropractor Help Relieve Sciatic Pain & Low Back Pain?
The medical approach to treating low back pain involves medications or injections to manage pain. And if those fail… surgery.
Many prefer a safer, less invasive approach, which is where chiropractic care comes in.
Research shows chiropractic care can reduce pain intensity and disability for patients with low back pain. Often in as little as 3-4 weeks.
These benefits ring true for sciatica as well.
And starting with holistic treatments for low back pain is a much safer bet.
One study found that 43% of patients who saw a medical doctor initially, ended up having back surgery. Compare that to only 1.5% of patients who visited a chiropractor first.
Chiropractic care even enhances pain relief for those already receiving medical treatments for back pain.
So next up, let’s cover which chiropractic treatments can offer pain relief.
The 5 Chiropractic Treatments that Help Relieve Sciatic Pain & Low Back Pain
Most chiropractors offer a variety of therapies to ease back pain. Here are five lower back pain treatments we use at Anchored in Health:
Spinal manipulation
The hallmark chiropractic treatment for low back pain is spinal manipulation. It’s also known as a “chiropractic adjustment.”
Spinal manipulation involves applying a controlled thrust to the spinal joints to put the spine in proper alignment.
When the spine is aligned correctly, it relieves pressure on the joints and improves nerve function, which may offer pain relief.
Massage
Massages aren’t just for self-care or relaxation – they offer pain relief too. Massage therapy loosens tight muscles and reduces inflammation in the body, which can aggravate pain.
Massage also relieves pain by boosting endorphins, your body’s natural painkillers. In fact, one study found that just 30 minutes of massage can increase endorphins by 16%.
TENS
TENS is short for transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation units. Many holistic chiropractors use these battery-power devices to relieve pain.
TENS units emit electrical impulses to promote changes in your nervous system. Electrodes are placed on your skin in painful areas.
Electrical pulses are then sent, to influence your nervous system to reduce pain signals and boost endorphins.
TENS units may be used during your chiropractic visits. Or home treatments may be recommended for extra pain relief.
Heat and cold therapy
Ice and heat therapy may also offer relief from low back and sciatica pain.
As a rule of thumb, if the pain is acute, use cold therapy first. This reduces inflammation and creates a numbing effect that may ease the pain. Once the inflammation has calmed, you can switch to heat therapy.
Yet, if your low back pain is chronic (meaning it’s lasted for several weeks), it’s best to skip straight to the heat.
Heat therapy relaxes muscles and improves circulation, which promotes healing. You can use a heating pad, hot water bottle, or even try soaking in a warm bath.
Acupuncture
Acupuncture is proven to be a safe and effective remedy for low back pain relief. That’s why many chiropractors offer acupuncture on their treatment menu.
Acupuncture treatments involve inserting thin needles into specific points on the body. The needles are then stimulated to encourage the flow of energy (or ‘qi’) to support well-being. And one of acupuncture’s many benefits is pain relief.
Research shows that acupuncture boosts the production of several “feel-good” chemicals. This includes serotonin, dopamine, GABA, and endorphins. One study found acupuncture may be even more effective than medications in treating sciatica pain.
Relieve Sciatic Pain with Chiropractic Care in Orland Park, IL
Tired of low back pain and sciatica interfering with your life? Whether you’re struggling with chronic or acute back pain, chiropractic care may offer relief.
At Anchored in Health, our Holistic Chiropractor will customize your sessions. You’ll get a targeted treatment plan with the perfect blend of therapies for your unique case.
We offer spinal manipulation, massage, and acupuncture treatments for full-service pain relief.
So if you’re ready to ease your low back and sciatica pain, follow these steps:
- Contact us with questions or to learn more.
- Schedule your first appointment with Anchored with Health.
- Experience how chiropractic care can offer pain relief.
Other Health Services Offered at Anchored in Health in Orland Park, IL
At Anchored in Health we offer a variety of services to support you and your health goals. This includes finding the root of health issues through functional medicine, thermography, and genetic testing. And supporting nutritious and healthy habits through the Shape ReClaimed program.