Causes of Sciatica (in no particular order):

• Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
• Spondylolisthesis (slipping of a vertebra)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Sacro-iliac joint dysfunction (the joint between your spine and your pelvis)
• Piriformis syndrome (tightness or inflammation of the piriformis muscle, which is located in the buttocks)
• Herniated disc
• Pregnancy
• Obesity

Symptoms of Sciatica

The main symptom of sciatica is pain in the leg. The pain may be sharp or dull and it may radiate from the lower back down the back of the leg to the foot. Other symptoms of sciatica may include:

• Numbness or tingling in the leg
• Weakness in the leg
• Difficulty moving the leg
• Muscle spasms in the leg

How Chiropractic Can Help

Chiropractic care can be an effective treatment for sciatica. Your Chiropractor will focus on identifying the cause and treating it by correcting misalignments in your spine, which can help to reduce inflammation, improve nerve function, and relieve your pain.

Chiropractic treatments for sciatica typically involve spinal adjustments, which are gentle manipulations of the spine to help restore proper alignment. Chiropractors may also use other therapies, such as massage, heat therapy, and cold therapy, to help relieve pain and inflammation.

Research has shown that chiropractic care can be effective in treating sciatica. A 2015 study published in the journal Pain Medicine found that chiropractic care was more effective than medication in reducing pain and improving function in people with sciatica.

References:

• Prevalence of sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur Spine J. 2016;25(1):281-290.
• Effectiveness of chiropractic care for sciatica: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Pain Med. 2015;16(12):2285-2303.
• Chiropractic management of sciatica: A case series. J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2012;35(5):376-383.

If You Are Experiencing Sciatica:

If you are experiencing sciatica, schedule a consultation with a chiropractor today to learn more about how chiropractic care can help you, remember you do not need a referal from your GP.