Sciatica Specialist
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J.V. Chiropractic
Jonas Vorzimer, DC
Chiropractor located in Walnut Creek, CA
Sciatica is an irritation of the sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in your body — and can cause pain and disability from your lower back to your thigh, leg, and foot. Jonas Vorzimer, DC, an expert chiropractor and founder of J.V. Chiropractic, soothes your sciatic nerve with holistic treatments and helps you feel healthy again. Call the Walnut Creek, California, office or use the online form to book an appointment today.
Sciatica Q & A
What is sciatica?
Your sciatic nerve originates in your lower back near the base of your spine and splits into two branches, each of which runs down one of your legs.
When your sciatic nerve becomes irritated and inflamed because of a slipped or ruptured vertebral disc or other causes, the pain can be intense. Sciatica has symptoms that include:
- Sharp, jabbing pain in buttocks or lower back
- Pain that shoots down your thigh and leg
- Back pain
- Numbness in lower back or leg
- Weak leg muscles
Why do I have sciatica?
Your vertebral discs separate the bony vertebrae in your spine, so they don’t grind against one another, inflaming nearby nerves and causing pain. The rubbery discs also act as shock absorbers, so you can easily twist, bend, jump, run, and walk without hurting your spine.
As you age, your discs age, too. Older discs are prone to slip out of place or rupture. A bulging or ruptured disc can press on the sciatic nerve, causing the pain and inflammation of sciatica.
The sciatic nerve also becomes inflamed and irritated if you have inflammation in your sacroiliac joint or frequently have muscle spasms in that area.
Tumors from cancer or other causes and conditions, such as diabetes or spinal stenosis, can irritate your sciatic nerve. You might also develop sciatica after suffering a car accident or other pelvic trauma.
Women often develop sciatica during pregnancy, when the extra strain on the back irritates the sciatic nerve. Being obese or overweight increases your risk for sciatica, as does engaging in heavy lifting or sitting for long periods.
How do chiropractors treat sciatica?
Although sciatica is painful, it’s not a serious condition and usually resolves on its own or with supportive therapies. Depending on your case, Dr. Vorzimer may treat your sciatica with:
- Massage or ultrasound to alleviate inflammation and increase circulation
- Spinal adjustments to realign spine and discs
- Spinal decompression to take the pressure off the sciatic nerve
- Physical therapy to strengthen surrounding muscles
- Hot and cold therapy to accelerate healing
- Dietary guidance to avoid inflammatory foods and irritants
- Supplements to nourish your tissues and increase general health
If you have sciatica and want relief from leg and back pain and weakness, contact the friendly staff at J.V. Chiropractic or use the online form to book an appointment.
