What Causes Sciatica and How Sports Chiropractic Care Can Help?

The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through each buttock and down each leg. It’s the largest nerve in the body and helps us with stability and movement, making it significant to many of our everyday activities. 

When the nerve is injured, it can show up in various forms, ranging in severities, and may create challenges in your routine. With chiropractic care, your sciatic nerve can find balance and healing, restoring the structure so you can move properly and comfortably. 




In this article, we’re going over the following:

  • What sciatica is

  • How do you get sciatica

  • Symptoms of sciatica

  • Chiropractic for sciatica




Sciatica problems can worsen over time, so it’s always best to visit your local chiropractor at the first signs of discomfort. This will ensure you get the right treatment plan with the benefit of safe, non-invasive services. 




What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is the result of damage anywhere along the sciatic nerve. Pain and other discomforts, such as loss of flexibility, are generally associated with sciatica because of pressure put upon the nerve. 



Conditions that may cause sciatica include:

  • Disc herniation or disc bulge

  • Degenerative disc disease

  • Sprains and strains

  • Spinal stenosis

  • Pelvic injuries

  • Piriformis Syndrome



When the nerve becomes compressed, irritated, or otherwise compromised, you may experience symptoms varying from dull aches to radiating intense pain.  




Do I Have Sciatica?

Because the sciatic nerve takes up a large portion of our lower half, pain that fixates on the lower region may be due to sciatica. Your Midvale chiropractic team will provide a complete full-body assessment to determine the exact cause of your pain prior to implementing a solution program. 




People who may experience sciatica include:

  • Those involved in a traumatic accident, such as a car accident   

  • Those with habitual poor movement patterns

  • Pregnant women or those who are overweight

  • Those with physical occupations

  • Regularly active people or athletes who overuse soft tissues and joints

  • Those who work on their feet 

  • Those who are inactive 



There are several symptoms associated with sciatica, including:

  • Pain on only one side of the lower half of the body

  • Weakness of the leg muscles

  • Muscle tightness or numbness

  • Loss of range of motion in the hip

  • Hip pain

  • Burning, shooting, stabbing, or dull pain 

  • Chronic pain (consistently lasting for over 12 weeks)

  • Pain that worsens while the body is still 

  • Sudden pain in the lower half

  • Intense pain that travels from the low back into the buttock or leg




When in pain, your body is letting you know it needs some attention. Don’t let it go unchecked. Chiropractic care provides techniques that balance the soft tissues and joints of the body, allowing it to regain proper structure and movement, reducing pressure on the nerve, and gaining comfort. 




Chiropractic Services to Treat Sciatica 

Because chiropractic is gentle, safe, and natural, it can be administered to almost anyone. Chiropractors have a vast understanding of the body’s musculoskeletal system and how to design treatment plans that cater to the unique needs of each patient. 


With various evidence-based chiropractic services to pull from, the patient gets sciatica care that ensures their comfort and confidence throughout the process. 



Common chiropractic techniques to end sciatica include:

  • Chiropractic adjustment or spinal manipulation- realigns and balances the spine and reduces undue pressure on the nerve

  • Soft tissue therapy- deep tissue treatments to naturally restore and mend damaged ligaments, nerves, tendons, and muscles and remove restrictions 

  • Dry needling- insertion of tiny needles over affected soft tissue to enhance healing and recovery

  • Exercise and stretching to create strength and flexibility, nurturing joint and soft tissue health 


Sciatica is often the result of a disc injury, and chiropractors are experts in spinal care, making chiropractic an excellent and effective resource for sciatic nerve damage. 


Other benefits of chiropractic care include:

  • Improved comfort, motion, strength, and flexibility 

  • Improved movement patterns 

  • Improved joint and soft tissue health

  • Improved posture

  • Reduced stress and anxiety

  • Improved sleep quality

  • Improved overall function

  • Increased energy, focus, and productivity



Work with Our Midvale Chiropractic Team for Sciatica Relief

From moms-to-be to desk sitters to CrossFitters, your sciatica doesn’t have to hold you back any longer. Chiropractic solutions are trusted, non-invasive methods that enhance and empower the body for holistic healing with little to no downtime and without the use of pain medication. 

Book with us today; managing your sciatica pain is at your fingertips, starting your healing journey is just a click away.