Sciatica Massage: Injury Medical Chiropractic Team

A certified/licensed massage therapist performs chiropractic therapeutic massage under the direction of a chiropractor to soothe tense muscles, release pressure on the nerve/s, break up scar tissue and stimulate the release of endorphins. Studies have shown that a therapeutic chiropractic massage is as effective as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications for pain relief caused by various musculoskeletal conditions, including sciatica. Although medications can work for a time, they do not deal with the underlying cause of sciatica.

Sciatica Massage

A sciatica massage offers several benefits that include the following:

• Improved and increased blood circulation.
• Lowered blood pressure.
• Release of hormones that help reduce anxiety, depression, and pain.
• Relieves body discomfort and soreness by decreasing the activation of pain receptors in the spine and muscles.
• Inflammation alleviation.
• Muscle stress relief.
• Muscle relaxation.
• Flare-up relief and prevention.
• Improves sleep.

Massage Types

Each type of massage is designed for a different purpose.

Manual Manipulation

• Improves mobility and reduces pain.
• Stretches tendons, ligaments, and muscles.

Mobilization

• Focuses on the musculoskeletal system to improve mobility.

Connective Tissue

• A deeper massage that targets connective tissues like ligaments and tendons.

Deep Tissue Massage

• Designed to reach the deep layers to realign the muscles and fascia.

Myofascial Massage

• Releases trigger points, adhesions, and nerve endings.

Healing Phases

Most cases of sciatica resolve in less than 4 to 6 weeks with conservative treatment. More severe cases with neurologic symptoms can have a longer recovery period.

Phase One

• Alleviates discomfort, numbness, tingling, pain, and other symptoms.
• The pain is reduced so the chiropractor and therapists can begin to address the cause, although the other symptoms and sensations could still be experienced.
• If muscle spasms are present, they will be less frequent and with less intensity.

Phase Two

• The individual can focus on functioning within their normal environment.
• The chiropractor and therapists examine if they can get up and stand from a chair without problems, get in and out of a car, sit for longer periods, and walk with less discomfort.
• A reflex test will be performed to analyze how the healing process is coming along.
• If there is significant nerve damage, reflexes could be lessened.
• For example, if sciatic inflammation is present, and the Achilles tendon is tapped with a reflex hammer, there could be little or no movement of the calf muscles.
• If there is an improvement, there will be a healthy reflex.
• The straight leg test will show if the individual can lift their leg with little or no pain.

Phase Three

• The final healing phase provides the ability of normal movements and full strength.
• This is when the individual can resume normal activities, specifically those stopped because of the pain.
• This can include walking, driving, house chores, sports, or working out.

Contact our office for treatment options customized to the individual and their injury.

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Sciatica?

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References

Camino Willhuber GO, Piuzzi NS. Straight Leg Raise Test. [Updated 2022 June 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539717/

Chang C, Jeno SH, Varacallo M. Anatomy, Bony Pelvis, and Lower Limb, Piriformis Muscle. [Updated 2022 October 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519497/

Davis D, Maini K, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2022 May 6]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/

Marian Majchrzycki, Piotr Kocur, Tomasz Kotwicki, “Deep Tissue Massage and Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs for Low Back Pain: A Prospective Randomized Trial,” The Scientific World Journal, vol. 2014, Article ID 287597, 7 pages, 2014. doi.org/10.1155/2014/287597

Miller, Kenneth Jeffrey. “Physical assessment of lower extremity radiculopathy and sciatica.” Journal of chiropractic medicine vol. 6,2 (2007): 75-82. doi:10.1016/j.jcme.2007.04.001

The Centralization Phenomenon in Chiropractic Spinal Manipulation of Discogenic Low Back Pain and Sciatica. chiro.org/Low_Back_Pain/The_Centralization_Phenomenon.shtml. Accessed October 22, 2022.