Menu

Sciatica

Chiropractic and Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs providing feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. The term sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve.

What causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back. The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Piriformis syndrome is another common cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that lies directly over the sciatic nerve. If this muscle becomes tight or if you have a spasm in this muscle, it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Occasionally, sciatic pain in men is caused by sitting on a wallet.

How do I know if I have sciatica?

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It's likely to be worse when you sit, cough or sneeze.

How is Sciatica Treated?

At Chiropractic Solutions, Doctors Hoffman, McMurray and Scott are all certified in Cox Technic. "Cox Technic makes use of flexion-distraction and decompression to adjust and manipulate the spine, thus …

  • increasing intervertebral disc height, which removes tension on the annular fibers and the spinal nerve and improves circulation
  • dropping pressure within the nucleus pulposus of the intervertebral disc
  • increasing the area of the intervertebral foramen by up to 28%
  • and essentially realigning the spine by restoring vertebral joints to their proper physiological relationships of motion
Cox Technic flexion-distraction and decompression is a well-researched, well-documented, and proven-effective technique for decompressing spinal nerves and treating low back pain. It's a gentle, non-surgical, no-force procedure that helps the spine heal properly - and keeps it as pain free as possible."

Because of the advanced training of its Doctors, Chiropractic Solutions has become well-known for its successes in effectively treating and managing patients who suffer from sciatic pain.

Been suffering with Sciatica or lumbar disc herniations too long? Contact us!