First, it’s important to understand that there are two sciatic nerves that run down each side of your hip and buttock. They each go down the leg until they reach right below your knee. The sciatic nerve then splits into other nerves that connect to your lower leg, foot, and toes. Sciatica occurs when nerve pain from irritation, inflammation, or compression affects one or more of the sciatic nerves. The pain can involve tingling or numbness in your back or buttocks, and may even radiate down your leg.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when surrounding tissue puts pressure on this nerve, causing pain, tingling, or numbness. Sciatica can happen because of any condition that affects the sciatic nerve, such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or any other injury to the spine.
Sciatic pain can be demobilizing and often prevents you from walking, sitting, or standing as you normally would. The pain may even worsen while sitting as this position puts extra pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Benefits of Seeing a Chiropractor for Sciatica
A chiropractor can apply spinal adjustments and manual therapy to help take the pressure off the sciatic nerve. A chiropractor can also recommend specific exercises for when the sciatic nerve aggravation comes on. For example, stretching exercises will help release the pressure that comes from inflamed and tight muscles.
At Merckling Family Chiropractor, we have helped hundreds of sciatica patients find relief through soft tissue manipulation and improving their overall spinal health. Contact us today at (631) 286-2300 to schedule an appointment and free yourself from sciatic pain.
