Ease Sciatica Pain Naturally
WRITTEN BY: MIKE NEMASTIL, DC
For anyone that has experienced sciatica, they certainly do not want to experience it ever again. In recalling their sciatic experience, people will often describe it as a deep aching, shooting, or burning pain down the buttock and leg that often includes numbness or tingling. In some case, weakness in the leg can also be experienced. People have come to me stating that they had coughed hard, sneezed, or picked something up when suddenly the pain started. Some even say that all they did was bend over to tie their shoes or put their socks on! Unfortunately, I have seen this scenario play out thousands of times in my office over the course of my 30 years as a chiropractor.
The sciatic nerve originates in the lumbar spine (low back) and the sacrum (tailbone). Five different nerve roots comprise the sciatic nerve, two of the nerve roots in the lumbar spine and three nerve roots in the sacrum. So, in essence, any one of these five nerve roots can be pinched or compressed, and you can get sciatica.
There are several causative factors for sciatica:
Bone spurs from degenerative bone arthritis: the spur can touch/pinch a nerve.
Degenerative disc disease (disc arthritis): the disc bulge/protrusion can pinch the nerve.
Herniated disc: the herniated part of the disc pinches the nerve.
Lumbar spinal stenosis: the spinal canal space is narrowed, encroaching on the nerve tissue.
Piriformis syndrome: the piriformis muscle in your buttock can become tense or spasmed and can compress the sciatic nerve.
Spondylolisthesis: a forward displacement of a lumbar vertebra on the underlying vertebra, and can compressing the nerve root
Vertebral misalignments: cause disc displacement and muscle tension and can compress a nerve.
So you may be asking, what is the best course of care for acute or chronic sciatica? Drawing on my 30 years of practical experience, I understand how important this question is to you, and I’m here to provide a thoughtful answer. First and foremost, if you experience this type of pain, please take the time to get it checked out! I am continually surprised by patients that wait weeks, if not months, before coming into the office for a problem. After weeks and/or months, the problem is now chronic and the time to heal has generally been extended much longer. So, my first advice is don’t wait to see if it will go away on its own. If you have pain, there’s a problem!
Most people that have acute or chronic sciatica have been to their primary care provider prior coming to my office. Some people do not know what is occuring and seek counsel. Most people that experience sciatica have never even been to a chiropractor, and do not know that we can help. The primary care doctor will typically prescribe pain, muscle relaxer, and anti-inflammatory medication. When this does not work, they will prescribe physical therapy. This works in some cases and doesn’t in other cases. But to answer the question, I believe chiropractic care is the best starting point for a sciatic problem.
Let me explain: in almost all cases of sciatica, I’ve found that the spine, pelvic area, or tailbone—or sometimes all three—are out of alignment. When these areas are misaligned, they often create muscle tension and imbalance, which can affect other muscles, like the piriformis, in the hip and buttock. When the spine is misaligned, the discs between the bones can shift slightly, and pressure on nearby nerves may be added.
Chiropractors are specially trained to address these alignment issues, which often helps relieve sciatic pain at its source. Physical Therapists are beneficial in building strength and flexibility, but their focus is not on directly adjusting the spine or pelvis, which is typically a crucial part of resolving sciatica. This is why I believe chiropractic care is the best first step for addressing sciatic pain.
If you would like a consultation with Dr. Mike Nemastil at the Columbia Your Health office or Dr. Josh Thorp at the Chapin Your Health office, please call 803-451-6133.