Sciatica: What You Need to Know & Tips for Relief – Canadian Chiropractic Association (CCA)

Have you ever had pain radiate from your low back, through your hips, and down one leg?

If so, you may have experienced sciatica. Explore everything you need to know about sciatica, what you can do to treat the pain, and how a chiropractor can help.

What’s Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve runs down the length of each leg, starting in your low back and ending at the heels of your feet.

Sciatica is a term used to describe the pain caused by irritation of that nerve. Health professionals have a variety of names for it, including lumbosacral radicular syndrome, discogenic sciatica, nerve root pain, and nerve root entrapment¹,but sciatica is the most common term.

Sciatica is different from low back pain in that it results from the sciatic nerve, rather than the spine. This nerve serves an important function, affecting the:

Hamstrings
Calf muscles
Lower leg muscles
Some foot muscles

In many cases, the pain gets worse with twisting, bending, sneezing or coughing².

What Causes Sciatic Pain?

Researchers estimate that 90% of cases are caused by a herniated disc where the nerve root is compressed — something that may occur as a result of an injury, or age-related wear and tear⁵.

Other possible causes include lumbar stenosis¹, or piriformis syndrome.

Symptoms of Sciatica

Patients most often complain about pain radiating down the back of their leg, reducing their mobility^1-2.

Who’s Most at Risk for Sciatica?

More research is needed to determine the exact incidence and prevalence of sciatica.

It is estimated that five to 10% of patients with low back pain have it,¹ and 10 to 40% of people experience it in their lifetime.²

There are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing sciatica. These include:^¹

Age
Height
Mental stress
Cigarette smoking

In addition, certain occupations are predisposed to sciatic nerve pain, including machine operators and truck drivers².

How is Sciatica Diagnosed?

When a patient complains of pain radiating down their leg, a chiropractor will typically conduct a full history and physical examination to determine whether the sciatic nerve is to blame.¹

Chiropractors often work as part of a patient’s health care team. If there are red flags present – such as if Cauda Equina syndrome is suspected – the chiropractor will recommend advanced imaging to determine if surgery should be considered¹.

Treating Sciatica

There are a variety of treatments that chiropractors can offer, including recommendations on lifestyle changes.

These include, but aren’t limited to:

Physical activity
Acupuncture
Spinal manipulation

Managing Sciatica at Home

Talk to your chiropractor to ensure you are doing everything you can to improve your condition at home.

They may recommend one or more of the following:²

Use hot and cold packs for comfort
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
Practice good posture
Improve your core strength through exercise
Gently stretch out your lower back and hamstrings
Take a walk regularly, go swimming, or try aqua fitness
Use the proper technique when lifting heavy objects

Preventing Sciatica

You can reduce the chances of developing sciatica by exercising regularly and paying attention to your posture.³

Try the following exercises if you’re looking for inspiration, but the most important thing is to find an activity you enjoy:⁴

Walking
Jogging
Swimming
Cycling
Dancing
Strength training
Yoga
Tai Chi
Pilates

Chiropractors are spine, muscle, and nervous system experts who provide effective treatment to promote health, alleviate pain, and improve your quality of life.

If you’re struggling with sciatica and want relief, visit a chiropractor today. And remember – you can always ask questions and take an active role in your recovery.

DISCLAIMER: No information from this document is intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Consultation with a chiropractor or other primary care provider is recommended for anyone suffering from a health problem. The CCA recognizes that research and data is constantly evolving. Please use this information in conjunction with the best available evidence.

References

1. Koes, B W et al. “Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 334,7607 (2007): 1313-7. doi:10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE
2. Davis D, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2019 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
3. Gillot, Caroline. “Sciatica: Causes, Treatment, Exercises, and Symptoms.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 15 Dec. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php.
4. Harvard Health Publishing. “5 Tips for Coping with Sciatica.” Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-prevention-and-coping.
5. “Herniated Disc.” AANS, https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc.