Is Hot or Cold Better for Sciatica Pain?
- posted: Feb. 18, 2022
Is Hot or Cold Better for Sciatica Pain?
Chiropractic Care and Sciatica Treatment
A chiropractor in Arlington Heights helps treat patients who have sciatic nerve pain. They use noninvasive methods to assist patients. Although a spinal alignment may help patients in the office, certain treatments may be used at home or in the office such as hot or cold therapy.
What Are Sciatica Symptoms?
Sciatica isn't a condition. It's actually a symptom of a condition. Usually, it's caused by a lumbar herniated disc, a degenerative disc disorder, spinal stenosis, spondylolisthesis, a spinal curvature or pregnancy. People who have sciatica will have a continuous or intermittent pain in one side of their buttocks or leg. In very rare cases, the person has pain in both of the legs. Oftentimes, the pain is worse when the person is seated. Those with sciatica may complain of a burning or tingling sensation. It's not uncommon for the patient to experience numbness or weakness. It's also possible for the person to have difficulty moving toes, a foot or a leg. For some, the pain is sharp. Pain may radiate down the leg and into the feet or toes, or the leg may feel tight.
What Helps With Sciatica Pain Relief
A person with sciatica may benefit from hot or cold therapy. Ice therapy has the potential to reduce any swelling caused by the condition attributing to sciatica. Generally, the ice helps relieve swelling around the nerve. Ice has the potential to numb the pain in the back and legs. A chiropractor will recommend applying the ice pack for about 20 minutes and then removing it for at least 20 minutes. This should occur multiple times per day.
A moist heat application has the potential to be effective at treating sciatic nerve pain also. The heat helps to relax tight muscles, especially in the legs and back. The tight muscles may contribute to the compression of the sciatic nerve, or may prevent the nerve pain from getting better.
The doctors at the Arlington Chiropractic Clinic will advise you whether hot or cold therapy, or a combination of both, is helpful for your specific condition.
