Sciatica

Sciatica is due to inflammation or irritation to the Greater Sciatic Nerve. Where the sciatic nerve exits the 5th lumbar vertebrae it is possible for this irritation to occur to the nerve. The lower lumbar (L4-L5) is known to carry the most stress and weight. The sciatic nerve can also be pinched at the level of your piriformis and it is up to your doctor to determine where and if your nerve is actually being affected. 

Sitting often exaggerates the condition because sitting puts more weight on the lower back then standing. If your sciatica goes away when you are sitting and it gets worse with standing or walking then you may have a condition known as spinal stenosis. 

Chiropractic manipulation is a great treatment option for sciatica. Stretching of surrounding tissue and manipulation of the vertebrae are shown to decrease irritation to the area. 

Sciatica is a symptom of an underlying condition and not an actual diagnosis. Common problems that can cause this are a lumbar herniated disc, spinal stenosis, subluxation (misalignment of vertebrae), degenerative disc disease, spondylolisthesis, etc. Sciatica is often described as pain radiating from the low back into the buttock, pain that is worse when sitting or standing for too long, leg pain, weakness or tingling in your leg, and/or a sharp pain making it difficult to move. Pammer chiropractic has been treating most cases of sciatica successfully using manipulation and therapy since 1960.