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Sciatica

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is defined as pain caused by pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve. It can cause pain anywhere along the distribution of the sciatic nerve from the lower back to the sole of the foot. It can also cause changes in sensation and muscle power of the leg.​ The sciatic nerve is a large nerve the size of a little finger. They originate from the spinal column in the lower back and travel behind the hip joint, down the buttock and down the back of the leg to the foot.

Sciatica is often characterized by one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Constant pain in only one side of the buttock or leg (rarely in both legs)
  • Pain that is worse when sitting
  • Leg pain that is often described as burning, tingling, or searing (versus a dull ache)
  • Weakness, numbness, or difficulty moving the leg, foot, and/or toes
  • A sharp pain that may make it difficult to stand up or walk
  • Pain that radiates down the leg and possibly into the foot and toes (it rarely occurs only in the foot)

Scientific research has proven that chiropractic corrective care decreases sciatic nerve pain by removing neurological interference and restoring proper biomechanics to the lumbar spine.

Here are the results:

  • Decreased low back and leg pain significantly
  • Improved lumbar spine range of motion
  • Decreased muscle spasm and inflammation
  • Reduced leg numbness and tingling
  • Decreased medication consumption and medical expenses
  • Reduced possibility of low back surgeries and injections
  • Chiropractic is just as, or more, effective in treating sciatica as surgery in 60% of cases

People of all ages benefit from chiropractic care because it restores optimal function to the nervous system, allowing the body to heal from the inside out, without drugs or surgeries. Who do you know that would benefit from a healthy, functioning nervous system?

RESEARCH REFERENCES

McMorland, G., Suter, E., Casha., S., Plastic, S. J., 8e Hurlbert, R. J. (2010).

Manipulation or Microdiskectomy for Sciatica? A Prospective Randomized Clinical Study. Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. 33(8), 576-584.

Richards, G. L., Thompson, J. S., Osterbauer, P. J., & Fuhr, A. W. (1990). Low force chiropractic care of two patients with sciatic neuropathy and lumbar disc herniation. Am J Chiropractic Med. 3(1), 25-32.

Santilli, V., Beghi, E., & Pinucci, S. (2008). Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: A randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations The Spine Journal 6(2), 131-137.​