Struggling With Sciatica in Porirua NZ?

Chiropractors are reporting that sciatica is one of the most common conditions they encounter each year. Millions of people in will suffer with the pain of sciatica, and very few will find long-term relief(1)(2). Keep reading to see how chiropractic care in Porirua NZ can help.

Patients often describe the pain of sciatica as ranging from a slight discomfort to the most extreme unbearable pain imaginable. Sciatic pain can show up in different areas of the leg and foot, and many times the pain will come and go. Over the years, people tend to go through periods of pain that typically intensify as the problem goes untreated.

Where Does Sciatica Start in Porirua NZ?

The pelvic and lumbar spine are usually the sources for sciatic issues. These areas of the spine are very complicated, and it can be difficult to locate the problem. Some patients say that all they did was bend over to pick up a piece of paper and they were hit with extreme pain. They don't understand how an easy task caused them so much pain. What they don't realize is that their condition was probably developing for the past few years, and bending to pick up that piece of paper just happened to be the last straw. With the exception of the most severe spinal problems, back issues don't happen overnight, they build up over years of time.

How Long Does it Take to Correct Sciatica?

Treatment length can vary significantly from patient to patient, depending on the severity of the problem. Some people respond very quickly while others take more time to recover. It really depends on the condition of the disc or the joints that the chiropractor has to correct. In most cases, the longer the issue persists, the longer it will take to achieve correction. The great news is that it typically takes less time to resolve it than it took to create it.

In the US the amount of people that end up with back surgery is staggering, and the low success rate is disappointing. It's estimated that back surgery is only about 15% effective within a five year period of time. By consulting with a chiropractor, you will be able to zero in on the source and deal with it, hopefully without needing invasive surgery. From there they will need to work with you to improve the position of the spine and discs(3)(4).

If you are serious about resolving your sciatica problems, call our team at Chiropractic Balance in Porirua NZ today to set up a consultation.

(1)Frymoyer, J. W. (1988). Back pain and sciatica. New England Journal of Medicine, 318(5), 291-300.
(2)Kaptchuk TJ, Eisenberg DM. Chiropractic: Origins, Controversies, and Contributions. Arch Intern Med. 1998;158(20):2215-2224. doi:10.1001/archinte.158.20.2215
(3)Legorreta AP, Metz RD, Nelson CF, Ray S, Chernicoff HO, DiNubile NA. Comparative Analysis of Individuals With and Without Chiropractic Coverage: Patient Characteristics, Utilization, and Costs. Arch Intern Med. 2004;164(18):1985-1992. doi:10.1001/archinte.164.18.1985
(4)Spears, C. A., Hodges, S. E., Kiyani, M., Yang, Z., Edwards, R. M., Musick, A., ... & Lad, S. P. (2020). Health Care Resource Utilization and Management of Chronic, Refractory Low Back Pain in the United States. Spine, 45(20), E1333-E1341.