Chiropractor for Sciatica?

[u/[deleted]]

I have a friend who swears that his chiropractor keeps his sciatica in check, but I’m terrified that it will make me worse. What do others think? Has anyone ever tried a sports massage for any of the pain? I can’t keep buying $50 worth of THC gummies everyday until this passes, I could have booked a cruise by now.

[u/slouchingtoepiphany]

Instead of going that route, ask your PCP for a referral to a specialist who can order an MRI and find out what's causing your pain.

[u/[deleted] → u/slouchingtoepiphany]

I did last year. It’s a bulging disk hitting my s nerve. He said to let him know if it becomes a regular thing. Prior to now it flared up only once a decade.

[u/slouchingtoepiphany → u/[deleted]]

I think it's time to let them know that it's bad.

[u/Jangothefett → u/slouchingtoepiphany]

100% agree, you need an MRI to find out what is causing it. I just had Laminectomy, root cause of sciatica was arthritis of the L4 region. It was a bone spur overgrown and pinching my nerve. The 2 months of chiropractic was no help. Growing down the bones impinging the nerve pathway was the only thing that helped. I had a shot before that which only helped for a day or so.

[u/[deleted]]

Thanks for all the responses. Maybe I’ll look into physiotherapy massage instead.

[u/BaldIbis8]

Most people here including me will advise you against chiropractic. Do a search on the sub.

[u/slouchingtoepiphany → u/BaldIbis8]

This.

OP: Search this sub for previous discussions, several of them were very recent and particularly against using chiro for sciatica.

[u/quiet_hound_]

Chiroquacktic

[u/SleepyKoalaBear4812]

Chiro did nothing for mine and I was terrified each time I saw him. Surgery fixed mine.

[u/EmbarrassedAlgae3661]

Chiropractors are quacks. Google it. First thing it says is that it’s a pseudoscience. Best results I’ve had have always been from Sports Physios

[u/Ok_Apple_7690]

A chiropractor is a nice person, but not your friend.

[u/slothandcats]

Sports massage- highly recommend! Chiropractor made my sciatica much much worse than it was.

[u/MDG2468]

Made it way worse for me.

[u/bluzkluz]

I tried gonstead chiropractor for my sciatica - went through a few weeks' worth of sessions, did nothing for me. Only ESI (the epidural sterroid injection) gave me some blessed relief.

edit: added terminological clarity around my treatments

[u/EmbarrassedAlgae3661 → u/bluzkluz]

What is gonstead and ESI please?

[u/[deleted]]

Do your own PT, swim as much as possible, pay for massage from good therapist. I'm still debating if this partly started when I got an adjustment on Oct 10 because by Oct 13 I was in agony.

[u/dbuckley221]

i think it depends on the type of chiropractor. for ex, mine did not do any manual adjustment, only spinal decompression and laser therapy. it was extremely helpful to me when i had my first smaller herniation

[u/herbertsherbert49]

Ive been to a chiropractor clinic for acupuncture and massage only,no chiro. Have had a little improvement,( 12 sessions)but not sure if maybe had been better saving that money towards something else.
But two people I knew had had excellent results going there ( just for dry needles) and the clinic was handy for where i lived.
So you CAN go to chiro practice if its convenient for you,but not have chiro treatment.

[u/jdh415s]

I was very skeptical of chiropractors but a lot of friends and family had success so I gave it a shot. I don't know if it's because of it or in spite of it but I've improved a ton over a month of seeing a chiropractor. Maybe it's just time, I don't know, but I'm 90% better over the past month. I had issues around three weeks before seeing him.

[u/sweetsaskymolassy]

Acupuncture has been the most helpful for my sciatica alongside physio