Chiropractic and Sciatica

Sciatica is a chiropractic problem! We see people with this condition all the time. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, originating from the low back region of the spine. When this nerve is impinged upon, extreme pain and discomfort results, often times traveling down the back of the leg.

The sciatic nerve originates from spinal regions L4-S3; oftentimes chiropractors find that people's spinal problem exists in these same areas or lower.

Causes of Sciatica:

• The pelvis and sacrum can become twisted and misaligned putting abnormal amounts of stress on the L4-S3 nerve supply.
  
• The L4/L5 vertebrae can become misaligned.
• A tightness of the piriformis muscle, squeezing upon the sciatic nerve. The piriformis muscle is under control of L5, S1 and S2 nerves.
  

We call these areas of misalignment subluxation, in which there is stress and interference on the nervous system. When subluxations are present long enough, degenerative conditions such as disc herniations, spinal stenosis and degenerative disc disease occur. Subluxation in the spine is the cause of sciatica, with the degenerative conditions listed above being contributing factors.