What is Sciatica?

Have you ever experienced back pain that travels down your buttock and the back of your thigh or even down to your foot? Perhaps numbness, tingling or weakness in the legs? What about sharp pain when moving from sitting to standing? 

Sciatica is a painful condition that originates in your sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed from the lower branches of nerves in the lumbar spine (low back) that come to form one large nerve that runs over your buttock to your thigh. When your lumbar disc herniates or bulges it may put pressure on this nerve. Other causes may include poor posture or ergonomics, pregnancy, obesity, abscesses or tumors, and nerve disorders. 

FUN FACT: It is the largest nerve in your body. 

While sciatica may sometimes heal on its own, there have been other factors that can assist with recovery and prevent re-injury. Chiropractors use a number of modalities to help speed up healing times including manipulation of the spine, ice/cold therapy, stretching and strengthening muscles, and soft tissue mobilization.