chiropractor help sciatica?

I have been diagnosed with sciatica by my family doctor, but he didnt do any tests, just asked questions, I have no doubt of what I have, but I would think you would have to have some kind of test. Anyway, to the point. Can a chiropractor truely help sciatica and do I have to be careful about which one I go to (the ones that use their hands or the ones that use machines)?

[Markberk4157]

I have had sciatica (and other back problems) and fixed it (so far) with the help of a self help program devised and published by Steve Lockhart at www.backpain.com.au Check him out.

The trouble with Chiro is they can manipulate the skeleton and provide temporary relief but in my experience they don't get to the cause. And so you have to keep going back. In my case the cause was an imbalance in the tension of the muscles which causes a misalighnment of the bones. Ropes and tent poles is a good analogy, if the tension of the ropes is wrong localised stress will develop. But i'm no expert on physiology, i just go with what makes sense. Chiro makes a sort of sense and Steve Lockhart makes more, for me.

[shredder0609]

I have shooting pain down my right leg. It lasted about 3 days or so of really bad pain. I started to take some Ibuprofren to help. So for the past week the backside of my leg, from my buttocks down to the backside of my knee, and calf has been numb.

I'm currently walking with a little bit of a limp, nothing too bad. I realized I couldn't flex my calf muscle in my right leg. Upon further investigation on this I realized I was unable to stand tip toes on my right leg. Left leg is fine and doesnt seem to have any problems, but my right leg is still numb and I cant stand on my tip toes (which explains my limp). PLEASE HELP!!!

[fairylady77]

you really need to see a dr! have an mri done. it sounds like you have a disc pressing on a nerve....whether its ruptured or not, i cant tell you that....but it does sound like the disc is out of place and on a nerve. an mri is the only thing that can show the disc being ruptured/bulging and if its on a nerve. i wouldnt waste time on this.

[nuggetone]

once again I agree with fairylady77  My Dr. and a hospital told me it was my sciatica nerve just take these meds.  Well I had MRI cause I was in such pain 1 wk later.  Now I am scheduled to have surgery this mth.  I have 2 herniated disc, protrusions, faucet joint problems and extruded disc material is on a nerve.  I originally went to Dr. for the buttocks and leg pain.  So it never hurts to get an MRI.  

[crazylladydee]

I have similar problem  sciatic bout in march 0f2007 now chronic lower back and hip pain to the point I hac to quit work and can,t stand of walk for more than 10 - 15 minutes without aide . doctor sent me to therapist since xrays showed normal how can I get him to send me for an MRI he doesn't seem to want to deal with my back as he also takes care of me for PVD and cholesterol Please I need helpfull advice !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[fairylady77]

you are just going to have to DEMAND an MRI. tell him that you KNOW something is wrong, and that you KNOW x-rays show only bones....that you KNOW that there is something wrong, and that an MRI goes into further detail than plain x-rays. IF that doesnt work...then tell him that you will find another dr that WILL show more interest in your pain, instead of just your money.