What is Sciatica?

In general, sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which travels down one or both legs from your lower back. 

Causes of Sciatica

1. Spinal Stenosis: As we age, some people will experience this degenerative condition where the bone channel occupied by the spinal nerves and spinal cord narrows. Moreover, those nerves will endure compression, eventually causing numbness, weakness, or pain running down their sciatic nerve. 

2. Herniated Disk or Disk Protrusion: Typically in your lower lumbar (lower spine), the round disks of connective tissue that separate and cushion your verterbra become worn down due to injury or use over time. When someone has a herniated disk, pressure is placed on the nerves surrounding that cartilage, often affecting the long sciatic nerve.

3. Spondylolisthesis: This is a condition where a bone in your back slides forward over the bone below it, leading your nerve roots or spinal cord to get squeezed. This can cause lower back pain or numbness, often affecting your sciatic nerve. Spondylolisthesis may occur from joint damage by trauma, injury, or arthritis.

4. Spinal Tumors: Although rare, these abnormal growths, either benign or malignant, can develop in the lower lumbar region and can affect your sciatic nerve due to nerve compression.

5. Pirformis Syndrome: This condition is when a muscle irritates your sciatic nerve. It's named after the pirformis muscle, which exists in the lower spine and assists in hip rotation. Muscle spasms in the pirformis muscle can compress the sciatic nerve, causing pain.

6. Trauma: This is generally nerve compression caused by any external factors that lead to sciatic nerve compression and pain, which includes injuries from sports, auto accidents, or even falling down. 

7. Improper Alignment of Pelvic Girdle: When this is misaligned-- twisted, tilted backward or forward, your center of gravity changes, causing pain and leading to compensation on other muscles and parts of your body. This can lead to sciatic nerve pain.

8. Muscle-related Issues: Varies from muscle imbalances such as weakness and tightness to trigger points in certain associated muscle groups leading to sciatic nerve pain.

Sciatic Nerve Treatment by Chiropractor

If you think you are experiencing sciatic nerve pain, don't be in discomfort for another day. Make an appointment by contacting us directly at 310-880-1695 or email us [email protected].

Visit our website www.elitechirodoc.com and check us out of Yelp with the highest ratings as the Best Chiropractor in Beverly Hills.