Sciatica (or sciatic neuritis)^[1] is a set of symptoms including pain that may be caused by general compression and/or irritation of one of five nerve roots that give rise to the sciatic nerve, or by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve itself. The pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and/or various parts of the leg and foot. In addition to pain, which is sometimes severe, there may be numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles or tingling and difficulty in moving or controlling the leg. Typically, the symptoms are only felt on one side of the body. (From Wikipedia).

From a chiropractic standpoint, my goal is to try to find out what the cause is, what is compressing, or irritating the sciatic nerve. 

With that being said, the only way to truly diagnose the cause of Sciatica is to evaluate with a series of orthopedic tests, range of motion, etc.  All of which I would need to do in my office, and I do offer a FREE CONSULTATION, to determine whether I think I can help you.  Ninety percent or more of my diagnosis comes from discussing your condition with you, then the evaluation is performed to confirm or change what I think is the cause.  A CONDITION CANNOT BE TREATED UNLESS IT IS ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED.  The evaluation performed, based on what may lessen or worsen the pain tells me what is the cause.

"Well, my medical doctor didn't even touch me".  I'm not trying to be negative about MD's.  They have their place, and specialty.  They are good at what they do.  They are not as good at diagnosing the cause or treating sciatica.  Most MD's are trained to think, "If you have a pain, take this pill, it will go away."  I have a degree in Biochemistry, I'm not opposed to medication, when necessary, but shouldn't the question be, "Why do I have this pain in the first place?"  Let's find that, fix that, and the symptoms will go away, or at least diminish.

Bear in mind, PAIN is not the only reason to fix the problem, function is, however, pain is what usually brings people to my office.

How people function, is usually why they end up with a problem.

When I evaluate, I usually think, rule out the worst first, then work from there.  Then I will tell you what your options are. 

The first option is, get in to see me, I offer a COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION, so there is little risk.

If there is no chance that you will not come in to see me, because I'm not close enough, or you still aren't convinced.  I've complied some resources that would help you before and after you visit my office.  A TENS unit may also be helpful with the pain. 

During an acute attack of pain, cold packs placed at the lower back region may help to decrease inflammation.  For chronic sciatica, and especially for preventative measures, an inversion table may be helpful to decrease the pressure of the discs by using gravity and your body weight.  You have to gradually work up to completely vertical and try it slowly, but for preventative measures and also to minimize flare-ups of sciatica or low back pain, and inversion table may be helpful.  If you have any questions, please feel free to call us.  Inversion tables may not be right for everyone, but in some cases, may help. 

Nothing is a substitute for an accurate diagnosis of the cause, which I can only properly do with an evaluation.  Give us a call at (562) 943-4132.

A Healthy Back, 10 Minutes a Day. Click Here!

Herniated Disc Survival Guide Click Here!

Build Your Back, Beat the Pain. Click Here!

Back to yourself Back Exercise Program. Click Here!