Subsiding of dependent oedema following chiropractic adjustment for discogenic sciatica

Abstract

Background: Subsiding of dependent oedema with chiropractic treatment for sciatica has not been described in the literature. Case presentation: A 40-year-old woman presented with unbearable sciatic nerve pain which restricted her in doing daily activities. She also had bilateral leg swelling for some time and no apparent physical causes could be found after being reviewed by a cardiologist. The patient subsequently sought chiropractic care to relieve her pain. She unexpectedly experienced a beneficial outcome from spinal adjustment in which both sciatic nerve pain and leg oedema were simultaneously resolved. It is reasonable to say that ease of mobility from pain relief and increased lymphatic return from sympathetic responses can help eliminating leg oedema following spinal adjustment. Conclusions: The pathophysiology of oedema formation is multifactorial and the therapeutic role of chiropractic remains inconclusive in this case. Further researches are need in this area before the integration of chiropractic into cardiovascular practice.