Sciatica Specialist

What is sciatica?

Sciatica is a descriptive term for a group of symptoms; it isn’t a disease or a medical condition. Pain radiating down the back of the leg is one of the primary signs of sciatica. The sciatic nerve travels down the buttock and the back of the leg, which is how the condition got its name. In addition to pain, some people report numbness and tingling in the affected limb and may also experience muscle weakness. Chiropractic care can provide relief of the pain and other symptoms as well as address the root cause.

What Causes Sciatica?

Almost any condition that irritates the sciatic nerve can cause sciatica. The most common causes include degenerative disc disease, a herniated lumbar disc, spinal stenosis or a condition called spondylolisthesis. Degenerative disc disease occurs from spinal wear and tear. A herniated disc occurs when the spongy cartilage between two spinal bones (vertebrae) pushes into the spinal cord. Spinal stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal, and spondylolisthesis describes a slight dislocation of the spinal joints.

Are there risk factors for sciatica?

People with sciatica tend to be older (at least 40) because so many of the problems that cause sciatica occur as people age. Specific risk factors include poor lifting techniques, which increases the risk of back injury, and jobs in which the person sits for long periods of time, which stresses the spine. A family history of conditions like spinal arthritis, spinal stenosis or degenerative disc disease can also increase the risk of sciatica.

How is sciatica treated?

Chiropractors provide pain relief and education to patients to improve physical well being to prevent recurrences of sciatica. Chiropractors perform adjustment to address not only pain but also the misalignment responsible for the condition. Dr. Noya teaches exercises to strengthen abdominal and spinal muscles and to promote spinal flexibility, which may help relieve pain and promote core strength.