Sciatica pain – located along the sciatica nerve, which runs from the hip down through the thigh – is often linked to the patient's work environment. Sitting for long periods of time, such as in an office or at a computer, can cause or exacerbate this condition. This pain and tenderness can be truly debilitating. Often patients come to our Beaverton & Aloha clinic with pain so intense they are forced to reduce their hours or take time off from the job. Our Salem chiropractors are happy to work with these patients to provide natural, efficient treatment options through chiropractic care and physical therapy.
Sciatic nerve pain may be treated through chiropractic care. An orthopedic medicine team in Norway recently investigated the use of chiropractic treatments for severe sciatica. The study involved 44 people who had developed sciatic pain while in the workplace. The pain caused by this work injury was so severe that it required hospitalization.
The treatment was performed by an in-hospital chiropractor, and included a physical examination followed by joint adjustment. The patients experienced soft-tissue soreness after this stage; this was alleviated with an ice treatment. Each patient received treatment daily while in the hospital, followed by every other day for two weeks after their stay. Some patients also received ongoing treatments once or twice per week.
Following their chiropractic treatments, 40 patients (91%) were able to return to work full-time within an average of 21 days. Two had returned to 80% of their workload, and the final patient was at 50% of the previous workload. According to Norwegian public health records, the average sciatica patient who does not receive chiropractic care is disabled for 72 days. The chiropractic patients in this study were able to return to work 50 days sooner than the average worker injured with sciatic pain
This study underscores the effectiveness of chiropractic care for treating work-related sciatic pain. Chiropractic treatments and physical therapy can help patients achieve more significant pain relief in a shorter time period. If you are experiencing sciatic nerve pain as a result of your workplace, visit the Beaverton and Aloha chiropractors at Oregon Medical Centers to find out how chiropractic treatments can help.
References
Stover BD, Turner JA, Franklin G, et al. Factors associated with early opioid prescription among workers with low back injuries. Journal of Pain 2006;7(10):718-25.
Arana E, Marti-Bonmati L, Vega M, et al. Relationship between low back pain, disability, MR imaging findings and health care provider. Skeletal Radiology 2006;35(9):641-7.
Orlin JR, Didriksen A. Results of chiropractic treatment of lumbopelvic fixation in 44 patients admitted to an orthopedic department. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics 2007;30:135-139.
Dr. Bhasin grew up in Southern California and did her undergraduate work in pre-med at California State University Northridge, as well as Humboldt State University in California. Dr. Bhasin attended the University of Western States in Portland Oregon where she earned her Doctor of Chiropractic Degree. Dr. Bhasin has passed her National boards and her State Boards. Dr. Bhasin loves helping people and finds great joy helping injured people get out of pain and get their life back again. She has helped thousands of patients.
