Sciatica

Sciatica pain is common and can strike at any age. It is characterized as a sharp shooting pain that travels from the lower back and then extends down the buttocks and back of either leg. The pain usually worsens with long periods of sitting or standing. Like a large river created by smaller streams, five pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to form the two sciatic nerves. The soft, pulpy disc between each spinal bone is often involved. Spinal discs can become compressed and irritated by stress causing them to bulge, herniate or rupture. This can put direct pressure on the nearby nerves resulting in swelling, inflammation, and pain.

It’s easy to trace some spinal problems to an event, such as a car accident or fall. Yet, most back pain including sciatica is the result of cumulative damage. Years of bad posture, poor muscle tone, excess weight, and countless other causes set the stage. Then, something simple like bending over to tie your shoes can trigger an episode leading to lost time at work and interference in quality of life.

Spinal decay is another common cause of sciatica. Instead of disc thinning that puts pressure on the sciatic nerve roots, arthritic bone spurs can intrude into the space normally reserved for the nerve.

Chiropractic offers a non-invasive approach to correcting the underlying cause of sciatic pain. Improving joint motion with a series of chiropractic adjustments has produced results for millions. Chiropractic patients frequently report they recover faster and resume their normal activities more quickly with chiropractic care.