Sciatica Relief and Treatment at Back2Balance Chiropractic

Sciatica is a common condition that affects many individuals worldwide. It affects a significant portion of the population (estimated to be around 40%) at some point in their lives. It is characterized by pain, discomfort, and other symptoms that originate from the sciatic nerve, which is one of the largest nerves in the human body.

Sciatica is not a standalone condition but rather a set of symptoms caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. These symptoms typically manifest as pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the lower back, buttocks, and down the back of the leg. Symptoms that seem like simple low back pain or hip pain may be the first indication of sciatica.

The good news is that effective treatment options are available to alleviate your discomfort and improve your quality of life.

Anatomy of Sciatica:
Understanding the anatomy of sciatica is essential in comprehending its symptoms and causes. Sciatica is closely associated with the spinal nerve roots in the lumbar (lower back) and sacral regions of the spine. The sciatic nerve itself is formed by the merging of several of these nerve roots. It extends from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down the back of each leg. When the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, it can lead to the characteristic symptoms associated with sciatica.

Common Causes of Sciatica:

Lumbar Herniated Disc: One of the most frequent causes of sciatica is a lumbar herniated disc. Intervertebral discs act as cushions and shock absorbers between the vertebrae. The discs consist of a tough cartilaginous outer layer (annulus fibrosus) and a gel/liquid center (nucleus pulposus). A herniated disc, also known as a slipped or ruptured disc, occurs when the inner core pushes through a tear or crack in the outer layer. This can result in pressure on nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve. When a herniated disc in the lumbar spine presses against the sciatic nerve, it can cause sciatica symptoms. This includes pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness that radiates from the lower back into the buttocks and down the leg.

Piriformis Muscle Irritation:
In some cases, the sciatic nerve can be irritated or compressed as it passes through the piriformis muscle in the buttocks. This condition is known as piriformis syndrome. When the piriformis muscle tightens or spasms, it can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to symptoms of sciatica.

Misaligned Vertebrae in the Spine:
Misaligned vertebrae in the lumbar or sacral spine can also contribute to sciatica. These misalignments, often referred to as subluxations, can cause pressure on the adjacent nerves, including the sciatic nerve.

Spinal Cord Compression:
In rare cases, severe spinal conditions, such as spinal stenosis, can lead to compression or pinching of the spinal cord or nerve roots in the lower back. This can result in sciatica symptoms.

Medical Treatment

The conventional medical approach to solving the symptoms of sciatica vary greatly from physical therapy and light exercise to anti-inflammatory injections and surgery in more extreme cases. Sometimes a variety of combinations of treatments may be used simultaneously to advance through healing phases more comfortably. The application of these options depends on the severity and the cause of each individual case.

The Chiropractic Approach

At Back2Balance, the non-invasive method is preferred. It is well documented that chiropractic care can have a significant effect on correcting the cause of sciatica. Chiropractic adjustments seek to re-establish proper motion and alignment to affected vertebrae and are often combined with palliative care like stretching, light exercise, cold or heat therapy (for acute conditions), and even massage. Chiropractic care is a highly recommended first option for most cases as more invasive approaches like surgery come with greater risks.

With regular and consistent maintenance of the spine, chiropractic care is focused not merely on relieving the symptoms of sciatica but working on creating future stability to prevent additional occurrences of sciatica.