How Chiropractic Care Can Help with Sciatica Nerve Pain

Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, which extends from your lower back into your feet, becomes compressed or irritated. Most episodes of sciatica are temporary and last for a maximum of six weeks, but it’s not unheard of for some to last longer. While painful and debilitating, it can be resolved more quickly thanks to chiropractic treatment. 

Symptoms of sciatica

The symptoms of sciatica can be felt in several areas of the body, including the bottom/buttocks, back of the leg, feet, and even toes. This is because the nerve runs the entire length of these, enabling neurological symptoms to occur at any point of the pathway. 

These can include:
 

• Pain that varies in intensity and type, including stabbing pain, burning pain, and shooting pain. Some people describe it as a ‘zing’ of electrical current. This can be experienced in the back, buttocks, legs, and feet.
   

• Tingling is similar to pins and needles.
   

• Numbness or a feeling as though the affected area of your body is no longer there.
   

• Weakness in the affected limb. 

If you are experiencing the symptoms of sciatica, you should arrange an appointment with a chiropractor at your earliest convenience. 

Causes of sciatica

There are a number of different things that can contribute to sciatica developing. Some of the most common are:
 

• A trapped nerve in the lumbar spine affecting the sciatic nerve.
   

• A herniated disc. This is where a disc bulges out of place and presses on the sciatic nerve.
   

• Piriformis syndrome. This is where a muscle in the buttocks becomes tight, irritating the sciatic nerve.
   

• Trigger points, which are knots of tension, developing in the buttocks or lower back. 

How can a chiropractor help with sciatica?

Chiropractors are trained specifically to identify, diagnose and manage conditions that affect the musculoskeletal system, including the spine and lower back, which is where the sciatic nerve begins. Your chiropractor will focus on correcting any dysfunction in the lower spine so that pressure is removed from the sciatic nerve, which should help to relieve the symptoms you are experiencing.


The underlying cause of your sciatica will affect which chiropractic techniques your practitioner uses, but in most cases, spinal manipulations will be performed. This is where your chiropractor uses their hands to make manual adjustments to the position of your spine by placing pressure on your back and adjusting your limbs. In addition to spinal manipulations, massage therapy, trigger point therapy, and stretches may be used to further release any pockets of pressure, loosen tight muscles and improve your flexibility and range of motion. 

Every patient is different and chiropractic treatment plans, which usually take place over a number of weeks or months, are tailored to your specific needs. How many sessions you will need and how frequently they will be will depend on your personal circumstances and how you respond to treatment. 

To find out more about how chiropractic care can help with sciatica nerve pain, visit Smith Chiropractic in El Paso, TX. Call (915) 233-3100 to schedule an appointment