Sciatica is a type of nerve pain. The sciatic nerve is a large nerve that controls among other things the function of the leg and the foot. It travels from the spine into the buttock, then into the back of the thigh and lower leg.

A deep aching or burning pain can be felt in the lower back, buttock, thigh, calf, leg, ankle, or foot.

A “pins and needles” sensation or numbness may also be present in the gluteal region and thigh.

What causes sciatica?

Primary cause- Herniated disc
It is usually caused by nerve irritation from a herniated disc which irritates the nerve roots from the lower back that form the sciatic nerve. This reduces space around the nerve root and is one cause of central or lateral canal stenosis. The nerve root too becomes irritated and swollen. The tunnel can also be made smaller by surrounding arthritis.

Secondary causes- Sacroiliac joint dysfunction/ Piriformis syndrome
It can also be caused by an irritation away from the spinal level due to:

• Biomechanical joint dysfunction of the pelvis and/or sacrum can also irritate the pathway of the sciatic nerve.
• Hypertonic muscles such as the piriformis can also irritate the sciatic nerve

How can chiropractic help?
The purpose of spinal adjustments delivered by chiropractors is to restore the misaligned vertebra to the correct position and restore normal disc mechanics. Restoring normal sacroiliac joint function can reduce both the mechanical irritation if present due to a disc prolapse and reduces the nerve irritation from the associated inflammatory response. Ice pack application is also an anti-inflammatory treatment recommended by chiropractors.

Talk to your Gonstead Chiropractor today

Murtagh, J. (2012). John Murtagh’s patient education. Sydney: McGraw-Hill Australia