Sciatica Chiropractic

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica is a nerve pain that starts in the lower back and radiates down the leg. It is often caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve – the longest and thickest nerve in the body. This can result in a sharp, burning pain that travels from the lower back or buttocks down the leg, sometimes affecting movement and comfort.

What is Sciatic Nerve?

Pinched Nerve: This occurs when a nerve is compressed or squeezed, often due to a herniated (slipped) disc, bone spurs, or inflammation. It can cause pain, numbness, or tingling in the area supplied by that nerve.

Sciatica: This is a specific type of pinched nerve that happens when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body, is compressed. It often causes pain that starts in the lower back and shoots down the leg.

In essence: A herniated (slipped) disc can lead to a pinched nerve, which can cause sciatica.

Remember: These are simplified explanations. If you’re experiencing back pain, it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Who Gets Sciatica?

Sciatica is most commonly seen in adults between the ages of 20 and 50, but it can affect people of all ages. It often develops when certain lifestyle, health, or biomechanical factors place extra stress on the lower back and sciatic nerve.

Age: Natural wear and tear on the spine over time can increase the risk of disc changes or bone spurs that may irritate the sciatic nerve.
Occupation: Jobs that involve heavy lifting, repetitive movements, or long hours of sitting can place strain on the lower back.
Weight: Excess body weight can increase stress on the spine.
Diabetes: May increase the risk of nerve damage, including irritation of the sciatic nerve.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes and added physical load can place additional stress on the lower back.

While these factors may increase risk, not everyone with them will develop sciatica.

What Causes Sciatica?

Herniated disc in the lumbar spine (lower back): A herniated disc occurs when the cushioning disc between the lower back vertebrae tears or bulges due to degeneration or injury. This may place pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to irritation and inflammation that can cause pain, numbness, or discomfort in the buttocks and along the back of the legs.
Bone spurs: Bone spurs are bony overgrowths on the lumbar vertebrae that can narrow space around the sciatic nerve. When they compress the nerve, they may result in pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates into the lower body.
Spinal stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal canal due to bone spurs and/or thickened ligaments together with decreased spinal disc space puts pressure on nerves.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock down the leg, usually on one side of the body.
Sharp, burning, shooting, or electric shock-like pain.
Tingling or “pins and needles” sensations in the leg or foot.
Numbness in the leg or foot.
Muscle weakness that may affect walking or standing.
Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting.
Symptoms that may be aggravated by coughing or sneezing.
A combination of pain in one area and numbness in another part of the same leg.
Sudden flare-ups of pain that can make standing up or moving difficult.

Do You Have Sciatica? The Straight Leg Raise Test (SLR) is a simple way to pre-determine:

Lie on your back with legs extended.
Gently lift one leg straight up in the air, keeping the other leg flat on the ground.
If you experience pain in your lower back or buttocks that radiates down your leg when you raise your leg between 45 and 70 degrees, it could be sciatica.

Important Note: This is just a preliminary test. For a proper diagnosis, consult a healthcare professional.

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica Relief

We focus on treating the root cause of the sciatica by addressing poor biomechanics of the spine and dysfunction of the surrounding tissue.

At My Chirocare, we combine chiropractic adjustment, soft tissue therapy, spinal decompression and rehabilitative exercises to address your concerns thoroughly and more effectively so that you can get better faster.

Chiropractic adjustments: Precise, high velocity, low amplitude movements to restore proper spinal alignment and biomechanics that will help restore normal nervous system function which then allow the body to repair and regulate itself more effectively.

Soft tissue therapy: A hands-on technique used to address muscle tension, tightness, and dysfunction that may contribute to pain and restricted movement. By improving the health and function of the muscles and surrounding tissues, it can help enhance the effectiveness of chiropractic adjustments, improve mobility, and support overall spinal function.

Advanced therapeutic technologies:
Combining safe and effective modern therapeutic technologies to promote quicker healing to the neuromusculoskeletal system, reduce swelling and inflammation, promote neo-vascularisation, release muscle tension, reduce pain and strengthening/ reactivating muscles.

Rehabilitative exercises: Targeted rehabilitative exercises help improve shoulder mobility, strength, and stability, supporting recovery and reducing the risk of recurring shoulder pain.

You Don’t Have to Live with Sciatica

If you’re struggling with sciatica, you’re not alone. The pain, numbness, and discomfort can make everyday activities – from sitting at your desk to enjoying time with family – more challenging than they should be.

At My Chirocare, we take the time to understand what’s causing your symptoms and create a personalised care plan tailored to your needs.

Take the first step towards lasting relief – book your consultation with us today!