Sciatica Specialist
-
- Tweet
Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center
Chiropractor & Automobile Accident Injury Specialists located in University District, Seattle, WA
Sciatica is a common pain condition that affects nearly 40% of Americans at some point during their lives. Though sciatica may go away on its own within a few hours or a couple of days, you shouldn’t ignore the pain. Jas Walia, DC, and the team at Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center specialize in sciatica and recommend prompt treatment to stop the progression of the condition. To improve spine health and prevent sciatica flare-ups, contact the office in Seattle, Washington, by phone or book an appointment online today.
Sciatica Q&A
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is a pain condition caused by inflammation of your sciatic nerve, which is the longest and largest nerve in your body. Your sciatic nerve travels from your buttocks into your leg and down to your toes.
It’s composed of five nerve roots that exit your lumbar spine and join together deep in your pelvis. Your sciatic nerve then divides into many branches that serve your muscles, joints, skin, and other tissues in your legs and feet.
What are sciatica symptoms?
Pain that radiates from your lower back through your buttocks and into your leg on one side of your body is the most common sciatica symptom. Though those with sciatica often have a history of lower back pain, you may or may not experience back pain with a sciatica flare-up.
A full-blown sciatica flare-up can involve the entire path of your sciatic nerve, following the back of the thigh, into the calf, and down into the foot. Or, your sciatica may only affect various points along the nerve, such as the buttocks, knee, or calf.
What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is often traced back to one or more misaligned vertebrae, or subluxation. You can develop spinal subluxations after a car accident, fall, or sports injury. Being overweight, having poor posture, or even an allergic reaction may cause spinal subluxation.
When left uncorrected, your subluxations cause the opening between your vertebrae to narrow and compress, irritating and pressing the nerves as it exits the spine. Irritation or compression of the nerve root is the most common cause of sciatica.
Over time, your damaged nerves restrict joint movement and affect the lubrication of your intervertebral discs, which are the gel-like cushions in between each vertebrae.
Dry, unhealthy discs may tear or rupture causing what’s called a herniated, bulging, or ruptured disc. Your herniated disc may press on your sciatic nerve, increasing irritation. Irreversible nerve damage may occur if the nerve interference isn’t removed.
How is sciatica treated?
To treat your sciatica, Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center focuses on locating the specific misaligned vertebrae to stop the nerve irritation. Once identified, the team uses gentle chiropractic spinal adjustments to correct the misalignment and improve nerve health.
Prompt chiropractic care at Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center may prevent sciatica or stop its progression. It’s easier to maintain a healthy spine than treat an unhealthy spine.
For expert spinal care and relief from sciatica, contact Seattle Chiropractic Spine & Injury Center by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.
