Tuesday, December 10, 2024
30.0°F

Sciatica and chiropractic

by Dr. Amy Spoelstra
| February 24, 2010 7:27 AM

Sciatica….if you don’t know the meaning of the word, then you have probably never experienced the symptoms.

For those who have, the mild to moderate pain felt from the buttocks down to the knees can be a daily hindrance. You might feel it in one leg, or two, but the pain can be debilitating.

Sciatica is a common problem and one of the main reasons people actively seek out a chiropractor. Unlike many of the neurological problems that an unhealthy nervous system can create, sciatica constantly reminds you of its presence with pain. The symptoms are one of the main problems that get associated with chiropractic. Much like back and neck pain, people associate sciatica with a much-needed trip to a chiropractor. And of course, they are right in that game plan.

So why is sciatica so common? We must first look at its origin:

n “One common cause of sciatica is Piriformis Syndrome. Piriformis syndrome is named after the piriformis muscle. The piriformis muscle is located in the lower part of the spine, connects to the thighbone, and assists in hip rotation. The sciatic nerve runs beneath the piriformis muscle. This muscle is susceptible to injury from a slip and fall, hip arthritis, or a difference in leg length. Such situations can cause cramping and spasm to develop in the piriformis muscle, thereby pinching the sciatic nerve and causing inflammation and pain.”

As a patient of chiropractic care, you have probably already honed in on the “pinching the sciatic nerve” part of the above quoted material. Perhaps you have experienced this symptom in your own life?   

Agitation of the muscle groups can come from many things, but constantly sitting is one of the key components in agitating the sciatic nerve. Muscle groups are meant to expand and contract within their normal function, not lay dormant under the stresses of the weight of the body.  

For many people, daily activities such as sitting at a desk all day are responsible for the symptoms of sciatica. However, they are very treatable with chiropractic care.   

Most people can think of friends and family members who experience this type of pain. Again, it is not uncommon, but there is no reason to go on living with shooting pains down one or both of your legs.

If you know someone suffering from the pains of sciatica… educate them! Even a simple Google search on the internet will reveal that chiropractic is one of the most successful treatments available today for sciatica.

Don’t let your loved ones or friends miss out on life because of pain. You can change their lives today, simply by speaking with them about chiropractic!  

 To find out more about Spoelstra Family Chiropractic, give us a call at (208) 762-1414, find us on the web at CDAHealth.com or spoelstrachiro.com, or follow us on facebook or twitter by searching Spoelstra Family Chiropractic.