Contrary to popular belief, sciatica itself is not a condition, but rather a set of symptoms deriving from an underlying medical condition. There are more than 3 million cases of sciatica in the U.S. each year.

How can you successfully treat my sciatica?

The first step in successful sciatic treatment is an accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of the patient’s symptoms. Your chiropractor will take your medical history, conduct a thorough physical and neurological examination, and employ various diagnostic tests, including X-ray, MRI, CT scans, and, if needed, nerve testing including electromyography.

Once the cause of your sciatica is determined, therapy will be customized based on the most effective way for your body to begin to heal itself. This may include ice/cold therapy, electrical stimulation (TENS), spinal manipulation, or ultrasound, as well as the implementation of the Butler Spine Program – a breakthrough non-surgical treatment using the LCT 1000 Deep Tissue (Class IV) Laser and spinal decompression that effectively relieves low back pain and sciatica.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, traveling from the lower back and buttocks into the legs. It is very common for people to have problems with the sciatic nerve, including sciatica. Symptoms may include:

• Pain originating from the low back or buttock area that travels down one or both legs
• Achy, sharp, radiating, or tingling pain (often likened to electric shocks)
• Pain that is mild, moderate, or severe, and infrequent or constant
• Numbness, weakness, or tingling in the leg or foot

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica is usually caused by compression of the sciatic nerve, a large nerve originating at the base of the spine. This compression can be caused by subluxations (misalignment) of the lower spine, herniated or bulging discs, pregnancy and childbirth (when pelvic bones shift and the tissues surrounding them are softer and more movable), tumors, or diabetes. Sciatica is often a result of Piriformis Syndrome. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower spine and is involved in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve is located directly beneath the piriformis muscle, so any injury or disorder affecting this muscle can result in pinching of the sciatic nerve.