Sciatica (Leg Pain)

The term “Sciatica” is used to describe a painful sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve takes root at the lower two lumbar vertebrae as well as the first three sacral levels. The only place that interference of the sciatic nerve can happen is at the levels of L4 and L5, on both sides, of course. Sciatica can be caused by as simple a thing as L4 or L5 being out of alignment. A Chiropractic adjustment can result in relief of the sciatic pain instantly, under the best of circumstances. There may be a great deal of swelling due to the irritation and inflammatory reaction at L4 and L5 so relief may take a day or two and possibly another Chiropractic adjustment.

However sciatica is often caused by a disc herniation. This happens when the disc material ruptures out of its confines and nudges up against the sciatic nerve. If the herniation is profound enough, surgery may be in order to cut the disc away and free the nerve root.

Another cause of sciatica may be a condition of stenosis of the intervertebral foramen. This is the hole by which the nerve root leaves the spinal vertebrae. Stenosis means a narrowing of that hole to the point that the nerve is impinged and inflamed. This can also cause sciatic nerve pain (sciatica).

I should mention that even in cases where there is disc herniation or even moderate stenosis, Chiropractic spinal adjustments may be able to help. The only reasonable way to find out if Chiropractic will help is to try a few adjustments. They will not make the condition worse and may give you some more time to comfortably deal with the situation so that plans may ultimately be made for surgical intervention.

The wonderful thing about Chiropractic treatment is that it is very safe to perform (and receive), and the benefits can be sensational. Remember, if your problem is not one of a sort that chiropractic can help, then you will have to go elsewhere for treatment. But if your problem is of a nature that chiropractic treatments can help, then we are the only ones who can help you.