Sciatica

Chiropractors, including Dr. Cory Koch of the Chiropractic Lifestyle Center in Olathe, Kan., regularly treat sciatica, which is characterized by pain that originates in the low back or buttock that travels into one or both legs. Sciatic nerve pain varies in intensity and frequency. Although sciatica is a relatively common form of low-back and leg pain, the true meaning of the term is often misunderstood. Sciatica is actually a set of symptoms—not a diagnosis for what is irritating the nerve root and causing the pain.

Your chiropractor will begin by taking a complete patient history. You’ll be asked to describe your pain and to explain when the pain began, and what activities lessen or intensify the pain. Forming a diagnosis will also require a physical and neurological exam, in which the doctor will pay special attention to your spine and legs. You may be asked to perform some basic activities that will test your sensory and muscle strength, as well as your reflexes. Sciatica can be caused by other disorders beyond the scope of chiropractic practice. If Dr. Koch determines the patient’s disorder requires treatment by another type of doctor, then the patient is referred to another specialty. In some cases, Dr. Koch may continue to treat the patient and co-manage the patient’s care with the other specialist.

The purpose of chiropractic treatment is to help the body’s potential to heal itself. It is based on the scientific principle that restricted spinal movement leads to pain and reduced function and performance. Chiropractic care is non-invasive (non-surgical) and drug-free. For most people, sciatica responds very well to conservative chiropractic care. Keeping in mind that sciatica is a symptom and not a stand-alone medical condition, treatment plans will often vary depending on the underlying cause of the problem. A sciatica treatment plan may include several different treatments such as ice/cold therapies, ultrasound, TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation that uses low voltage electric current to relieve pain) and spinal adjustments (sometimes called spinal manipulation).

If you are suffering from sciatica, call Dr. Koch at 913-768-0000 to find out if chiropractic care should be part of your overall regimen to fight your sciatica.