Chiropractor have been successfully treating and managing sciatica for decades. It’s one of the most common problems that walk into their office.
Sciatica can be caused by tight muscles (Piriformis syndrome), bulging disc or fixated spinal joints so before you start treatment, take the time to get a proper diagnosis of your spine. You may even need an x ray but it will help with the diagnosis. Once this is done then start treatment.
Piriformis syndrome
This is a muscle around your backside and there is a lot of pressure is placed on it when you sit. The sciatic nerve runs adjacent to this muscle so when the muscle in under tension and pressure it and tighten up adn squeeze against the nerve cause harp shooting pain.
Men who sit on their wallets is a common cause adn women who cross their legs can experience this type of pain too.
Disc injury
Lumbar disc can be under pressure and bulge hitting the nerve which will radiate pain down the leg. The sharp shoot-like pain can go to the knee or the foot depending which nerve is being pinched.
Fixated spinal joint
Repetitive tasks, long periods sitting or standing, poor posture or sports injuries can cause joints in the lumbar spine to become stuck and reduce the normal amount of movement in the joint. This will cause the other joints to compensate and lock up leading to nerve pressure and sciatic pain
Spondylolisthesis
This spinal condition is where one vertebrae slips forward relative to the vertebrae below and acts like a guillotine to place pressure on the spinal cord. This can be cause from injury, degenerative change or developmental from birth. There are 4 stages and classifications of this problem and can present as localised joint tightness to complete weakness and loss of function.
There are some high risk factors for Sciatica
Obesity- increase weight can add pressure onto the spinal cord
Age- people between 20-50 years old are more prone to disc injury and chronic degeneration can be seen in the older population.
Sitting- prolong sitting and sedentary jobs are seen more often those more active people.
Heavy lifting- If there are heavy load that are repetitively carried, it can be increase the risk of damage
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