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Chiropractor for sciatica.
Chiropractic treatments for sciatica ranges from the gentler soft tissue massage techniques to the more vigorous joint manoeuvring with the audible “crack” you may be more familiar with. Chiropractors are predominantly concerned with the adjustment and manipulation of your musculoskeletal system (your bones, joints, muscles etc). Using their hands and other aides and tools to readjust, correct and encourage better posture, flexibility and range of motion. They promote more of a complementary and alternative approach to healthcare rather than being drug or surgery based.
Are chiropractors qualified medical professionals?
Although not designated by the NHS as allied health therapists all chiropractors have to be qualified and generally go through 4 years of degree level education. They then have to be accepted to the General Chiropractic Council.
Are chiropractors available through the NHS?
Although well recognised and known as a useful treatment, chiropractors are not generally employed by or available through the NHS. Having said that some areas may offer chiropractic treatments if other interventions are not helping. It’s best to have a chat with your GP to see if they will refer you to a chiropractor. Normally, if your GP feels you would benefit from a more hands-on form of medical treatment they would refer you to a physiotherapist first. Alternatively you can contact your local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) for more information. In extreme cases your GP can request an IFR (individual funding request) from your CCG. Speak to your GP first is probably the best course of action.
Can’t get a chiropractor on NHS?
If you prefer to see a chiropractor quickly then the easiest route would be to pay privately to see one. Most chiropractors work in private clinics or operate their own private practice. I always suggest asking your friends and family if they could recommend a good one. If that doesn’t prove fruitful then just go to Google and search for “chiropractors near me”. All chiropractors need to be registered with the General Chiropractic Council and you can also check their register to find a suitable one. In fact it’s illegal to operate or call yourself a chiropractor unless you’re registered with them.
How much do chiropractors charge?
The cost of a chiropractor depends on a few variables, location, length of treatment session and appointment day and time etc (London prices are significantly more expensive). You will pay more for your initial meeting as this will include a consultation first followed by some form of treatment. Subsequent visits should then only consist of the treatment session and so are shorter. You should budget around £60 to £85 for your first visit and then between £35 and £45 for further treatment sessions. On the initial consultation your chiropractor will go through a few pre-treatment tasks that generally include:
- An interview based around your general health, lifestyle, work, symptom triggers
- A visual and physical examination of your posture and body movement – this will most probably be partially clothed (that’s you not them!)
- A simple investigation of your medical history
- A discussion to identify your issue/s
- Agree a realistic outcome and treatment schedule with you
As mentioned before the above only takes place on your first meeting. Be aware though if you change chiropractors then you will have to go through this initial consultation again.
How many visits and how often should I see a chiropractor for sciatica?
This is a tricky one. I suppose the most obvious answer is as many times as you need to! Generally, we’ll visit a manual therapist (physiotherapist, osteopath, chiropractor) for one of three reasons:
- Preventative. Although we may not currently have a pain issue, we sometimes experience a sciatic flare up or we’re prone to disc bulges. This type of visit can be useful to help us maintain our spine and joint health.
- Rehabilitation. Where we need treatment to recover from an accident or injury, a herniated disc for example.
- Urgent. When we’re suffering more sciatic pain than normal or experiencing a particularly bad flare up.
Each of the above is likely to require, not just a different number of visits, but also a different frequency of visits. Preventative visits may take place once every quarter and so 4 visits throughout the year is reasonable. Rehabilitation visits after a car accident may require weekly visits over several weeks.
From my own point of view I think it’s important to point out that sciatica for me is a permanent issue. It’s doubtful any amount of chiropractic treatments (or any other treatment for that matter) is going to cure my sciatica! Instead, I view a visit to a chiropractor etc as a way to manage my sciatica.
It’s probably unreasonable to expect to see a dramatic improvement after one visit to a chiropractor. Equally, if you’ve not noticed any improvement after 3 or 4 visits, it’s probably reasonable to assume chiropractic treatments are not going to help with your nerve pain or bulging disc!
My sciatica is worse after seeing a chiropractor!
I’ve often read that sciatica sufferers experience more pain after seeing a chiropractor. This is quite normal and often happens when you see a manual therapist. They are likely to have moved, readjusted, manipulated and cajoled various muscles, joints and bones so some soreness is to be expected. If after a few days the pain continues give them a call for advice.
Chiropractor, physiotherapist or osteopath?
This is a question often asked. From my own knowledge of many sciatica sufferers the general consensus seems to be that osteopaths have proved more beneficial in reducing their pain. The way I understand it is that osteopaths have a particular specialism in back and spinal issues where as chiropractors and physiotherapist are more generalists. You can read a bit more about it on the blog Osteopath or Physio for sciatica.
Are there any chiropractic techniques I can use at home?
Yes there are lots of home treatments and techniques you can use. In fact it’s most certain a chiropractor will give you exercises, stretches and posture routines to do regularly at home. They will also probably recommend various aides and tools to enable you to carry out these exercises. Some of these are linked to below.
This site was especially created to help sciatica sufferers find some relief from their pain. We do this by publishing articles and recommending products and treatments. Some of those products are linked to through Amazon. If you click on any of the photos or links you will be taken to the Amazon page for that product. If you buy a product we may earn a little commission that helps to fund the running of the website for the benefit of all sciatica sufferers, thank you. You pay the exact same amount you would’ve paid if you’d gone to Amazon directly.
“When told by my GP that nothing could be done for my sciatica I doubted anything would ever help. I now lead a pain free life”!