Sciatica: The River of Nerves

How do you know if you have sciatica?

Alt Text
  • Pain in the buttocks or leg that worsens when sitting
  • Burning or tingling down one or both legs
  • Weakness, numbness or difficulty using your leg or foot
  • A shooting pain that makes standing difficult

If these symptoms sound familiar, you’re likely in your 40’s or 50’s and have pain when coughing, sneezing or any kind of movement. You probably have sciatica.

Like a large river created by smaller streams, four or five pairs of nerves exit the spine in the lower back to form the two sciatic nerves. The soft pulpy disc between each spinal bone is often involved. While a disc can’t “slip,” it can bulge, herniate or rupture. This can put direct pressure on the nearby nerves. The result? Swelling. Inflammation.

Depending on where the sciatic nerve is affected, the pain may also radiate down to the foot or toes.

“While sciatica can be distracting,” observes Dr. Weber, “it rarely produces permanent nerve damage. Especially with prompt chiropractic care. Chiropractic care is so successful in helping those with sciatica, it’s almost considered routine.”

The only challenge seems to be impatient clients who expect instant results. Unlike artificial solutions such as drugs or more drastic surgery, chiropractic care helps restore the proper relationships between bones, discs and nerves. This natural approach, relying on the healing ability of your body, moves at its own pace. Do you know someone who could be helped?

 Dr. Jay Asks some important questions of interest to Tustin residents - Chiropractor Tustin Dr. Jay Asks...

Do nerves actually get pinched?
Chiropractors recognize two types of nerve disorders involved in subluxation. The least common is a pinched nerve that diminishes nerve supply to an affected organ or tissue. More common is the irritated nerve (facilitative lesion) which overexcites nerve communications to an affected organ or tissue. Chiropractic care has been shown to help with both types.
Is chiropractic safe?
What do you consider safe? Chiropractic care is safer than driving your car on the streets of Tustin, getting back surgery, taking aspirin and even safer than taking a shower in your own home! Compared with things we accept as safe, chiropractic care is even safer. Ready to get started? Call our office today.