Sciatica is known to most sufferers as a pain the buttock radiating down the back of the leg. It can be on both sides but is commonly on just one side. The pain has been described as a hot poker-like or a severe toothache-like pain down the back of the leg.

According to the Merck Medical Manual, "It is most commonly caused by peripheral nerve root compression." The root or beginning of the sciatic nerve is in the lower spinal column. It is almost the size of the average little finger and is the body's largest and longest nerve running from the lumbar spine down through the buttocks and down the back of both legs into the feet.

The nerve root compression can be caused by a severe injury to the lower back and may involve intervertebral discs. The most common cause of sciatic nerve root compression is from misaligned spinal vertebrae(vertebral subluxation).

Early symptoms of sciatica may be nothing more than a mild, low back pain or ache that comes and goes from time to time. Severe pain may appear instantly as the result of a misstep, a wrong turning movement, lifting, twisting or just bending over to tie a shoe.

Regardless of the onset, the most effective treatment approach in most cases and least costly is chiropractic spinal adjustments to help realign the spine and reduce the vertebral subluxation that is compressing the sciatic nerve root.

Because there is a human tendency to put off treatment until pain becomes severe, treatment may be unnecessarily complicated and prolonged. Therefore, it is important that any recurring back problems be corrected as soon as possible.

If you, or someone you know, is suffering with symptoms of sciatic pain or related low back pain, please call our office for a check-up. Call today, before your condition and your pain gets worse.