Recently I was called by a client asking if we ‘treat’ Sciatica. This is a really interesting question because it shows that the person with sciatica has, in all likelihood, not had a thorough examination. How do I know that?
Sciatica is caused by many things
Sciatica is caused by many things and in automotive terms might be equal to the statement ‘I’m having engine problems.’ What causes engine problems? Well many things could be a problem and need to be checked out and this is the same as sciatica.
I was very kindly given a poster that shows the sciatic nerve and where it originates in the spine (L4, L5 and S1) and I proudly displayed it for several years before taking it down. The reason was that there was a handy table on the poster that listed the causes of sciatica. Unfortunately only included were those things that end in chemotherapy or death.
It is true that some of the causes of sciatica can be very serious but the really good news is that this is very uncommon. This is why I took the poster down. The common things that cause almost all sciatic symptoms were not present. Things like lumbar disc irritation (the full blown herniation that results in surgery was there but not the common, and less serious, inflammation of the disc), subluxation of the sacroiliac joints or spine (which effects most people who sit), tightness (or malformation) of the piriformis muscle in the buttock, hypermobility of the pelvis and of course the most common cause of all, a combination of all of these factors.
In short, sciatic pain is a sign that the pelvis and lower back is not tuned and importantly the body can no longer heal the injury.
Can chiropractic help?
Very much so. The focus has to be on improving pelvic function and returning a good nerve communication between the pelvis and the brain.
The pelvis is vital to balance and movement but also to functions such as bowel and bladder function and sexual health. If you know someone who has had problems please give them a business card or email them our website.