Bottom Line: Sciatica is leg pain, numbness, or tingling, that originates in your low back. And wow can it hurt! The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in your body. It is made up of individual branches (or nerve roots) in your lower back that combine to form the sciatic nerve which then travels down into your leg. Sharp pain which can increase when sitting, and weakness in your leg/foot making it difficult to walk are a few common symptoms that pop up when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated.

Why it Matters: Did you know that sciatica often resolves without having to resort to risky medications or dangerous surgery? Research has shown that 89% of patients who were suffering from sciatica responded very well to chiropractic adjustments. Also, if you’ve thought about therapy, here is something to consider: a recent research paper found 20% more patients experienced relief with chiropractic adjustments and exercise than exercise alone. Here are some take away points:

• Nerve roots in your low back combine to form the sciatic nerve
• The sciatic nerve travels from your lower back down into your buttocks, legs, and feet
• Research shows over 89% of patients with sciatica find relief with chiropractic care

Next Steps: Sciatica can severely impact your quality of life. But rest assured that you don’t need to immediately resort to medications, injections, or surgery to correct the problem. Top research publications have shown that risky drugs are rarely more effective than a chiropractic adjustment. Starting with chiropractic care is both a safe and smart decision!

Science Source:
Outcomes of Acute and Chronic Patients with Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Confirmed Symptomatic Lumbar Disc Herniations Receiving High-Velocity, Low-Amplitude, Spinal Manipulative Therapy: A Prospective Observational Cohort Study with One Year Follow-Up Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics. March/April 2014