Sciatica

The condition of sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a long nerve originating in the lower back and extending down the back of the leg. When this nerve is irritated, it can cause pain, numbness, weakness, or other symptoms in the lower back and down the leg.

The causes of sciatica are multiple

There are several possible causes of this condition. A misaligned vertebra can cause inflammation of the joints, putting pressure on the nerve. Bulging discs and muscle spasms can also cause pressure on the sciatic nerve. Several other conditions may cause this symptom, so a complete evaluation would be needed to correctly asses the exact cause.

How we help

When treating sciatica, chiropractors look at getting to the souce of the problem. A structural exam is performed and may include spinal x-rays. If the root cause is a structural one such as a muscle spasm or a misaligned vertebrae or pelvis, chiropractic treatment can be very effective in the treatment of sciatica. There are other therapies and/or modalities that may be used in addition to a chiropractic adjustment and will be discussed with the patient.

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