Sciatica and the Nervous System

Irritation of the sciatic nerve causes sciatica. It can radiate pain from the tailbone down the leg. Many people experience back pain of some form in their life; in fact, 70-80% of people! It's also the 5th ranked cause of hospital admissions, the 3rd most common reason for surgery, and one of the most common reasons people seek a physician. Living with sciatica can be challenging for patients, with few options for relief.

Patients suffering from back pain want better options for care aside from surgical procedures and medications. Recently, a case study was published on a 47-year-old woman who had a 23-year history of back pain and sciatica. She presented to chiropractic care in hopes of finding some relief. Upon examination, subluxation was revealed. This means that her nervous system was prevented from functioning optimally. Over eight weeks, she presented to chiropractic care for 14 visits. She reported improvement in her sciatica, back pain, and overall quality of life improved!

A better functioning nervous system means a better overall function of the body. By removing the nervous system's interference, the nervous system is better equipped to function. This removes pain and irritation right at the source! When we function optimally, we feel our best!

Grey, J., & Bell, R. (2021). Reduction in pain, paresthesia & improved quality of life in a patient with sciatica following upper cervical chiropractic care: A case report. J. Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research, 2021, 47-50.