Sciatica

The sciatic nerves are the largest and longest in the human body, reaching the size of your thumb in diameter, and running down the back of each leg. When these nerves are irritated or affected by the inflammation of nearby soft tissues, doctors reffer to this as sciatica

One of the common causes of sciatic leg pain is the Vertebral Subluxation Complex. It can be accompanied by the bulging or herniation of the soft, pulpy discs which separate each spinal bone. This can irritate or put pressure on the sciatic nerve roots as they leave the spinal cord. The result can be intense pain shooting down either or both legs.

In the past, treatment was involved pain medications, muscle relaxers, physical therapy, and even surgery. The chiropractic approach is to use carefully directed and controlled pressure to remove the interference from spinal structures. These chiropractic adjustments can be quite effective in reducing nerve irritation and it's associated pain.

Sciatica, like other health problems that can be traced to the spine, often respond dramatically to the restoration of normal spine function through conservative chiropractic care.

Resources:

Gray, H., 1827-1861, Gray's Anatomy, Williams, P., Worwick, R., Editors, 37th edition, Churchill Livingstone, 1989, Reprinted 1993.

Kirkaldy-Willis, W., M.D., Managing Low Back Pain, 3rd edition, Churchill Livingstone, 1993

Kur, F., Loh, c., Treatment of Lumbar Intervebral Disc Protrusions by Manipulation, Clinical Orthoprdics, 215-47, 1987