Sciatica

The sciatic nerve is a nerve that originates in the lower back and runs down into the leg. Sciatica is defined as pain felt along the path of the sciatic nerve. This means that any pain from the buttock and hip area to the feet can be described as sciatica. This type of pain is caused by irritation somewhere along the course of the sciatic nerve. This irritation can be in the spine, hip, or from a muscle spasm. Most commonly, sciatica is developed after a history of wear and tear on the lower spine, not from a specific injury. Chiropractic adjustments help to align the spine and hips to allow muscles to relax and the sciatic nerve to function properly.