A common problem that many people suffer from is sciatica or sciatic pain. There’s a lot of confusion about what causes sciatica and how one can overcome it. Unfortunately, there isn’t one way to do this as every case is different. A physical therapist will help treat the underlying cause of your sciatica and provide relief from the pain. A chiropractor, on the other hand, can treat the symptoms with specific exercises which will focus on relieving pressure from your back and legs.
What distinguishes a chiropractor from a physiotherapist?
Since physiotherapists and chiropractors share a similar educational background and training, they are both skilled in treating conditions characterized by chronic pain. For the purpose of identifying illnesses and pain signals, they will both conduct physical examinations. But the quality of their education varies from nation to nation.
Numerous conditions, including those affecting the nervous system, can be treated by physiotherapists. They may work with you to prevent sciatica as well as assist you in recovering from it. On the other hand, chiropractors are trained to treat the causes of sciatica-like pain rather than the symptoms. A chiropractor may suggest exercises to tone your lower back and core muscles or advise swimming as a form of chiropractic treatment (to avoid overusing your leg muscles).
How is sciatica treated by physiotherapists?
By providing treatments to alleviate your symptoms, physiotherapists can assist you in recovering from sciatica pain. Depending on the nature of your pain, they may use electrotherapy to ease nerve pain, heat packs to relax your muscles, or ice packs to reduce swelling. They can also show you how to work out your lower back and core, which can help you avoid getting sciatica again.
. If you have a lot of pain when you are on your feet, physiotherapists can also help you modify your daily activities. Additionally, physiotherapists can help you correct your posture and ensure that your workstation is ergonomically sound. By relieving pressure on your lower back and core muscles, good posture can help prevent sciatica from recurring. Good posture can ease the pain of sciatica if you already have it.
How does a chiropractor handle sciatica?
To determine what is causing your sciatica, chiropractors will examine your spine and lower body. After determining the cause of your pain, they will use spinal manipulation to correct the troublesome joint and relieve the pressure on your nerve roots while also relieving your pain. In order to stop further episodes of sciatica, your chiropractor may also suggest a set of exercises to strengthen your core and lower back muscles. Your chiropractor may suggest an anti-inflammatory drug or muscle relaxants as part of your pain management plan, depending on the severity of your symptoms.
Should you visit a chiropractor or physiotherapist for sciatica?
There are many similarities and differences between physiotherapists and chiropractors. Both employ manual therapy as their primary method of care, but you might benefit more from seeing one profession than the other, depending on your unique needs and circumstances.
For instance, you should visit a physiotherapist if your sciatica is mild and you’re looking for ways to reduce the pain and enhance range of motion. You might want to see a physiotherapist first, followed by a chiropractor, if you have a mild case of sciatica and want to hasten your recovery.
Outro
Go to a physiotherapist first if you have a mild case of sciatica. He or she will assist you in determining the source of your discomfort so you can take steps to prevent it in the future. After that, if necessary, you can seek treatment from a chiropractor. It’s best to see a doctor first if you have more severe sciatica. Your doctor can suggest exercises you can do at home, perform a diagnostic test, and prescribe medication if necessary. After your pain has subsided, you can seek advice from a physiotherapist or chiropractor on how to avoid getting sciatica again in the future. You might want to see both professions, depending on the severity of your symptoms.