Sciatica and NUCCA
Sciatica – also known as lumbar radiculopathy – occurs when the sciatic nerve experiences pressure in your lower back. One common cause is disc pressure on the nerve, typically from a herniated, slipped, or bulging disc. Think of your spinal disc like a stress ball filled with gel – when squeezed unevenly, the inner material pushes in the opposite direction. Over time, this pressure can weaken the disc’s outer layer, allowing the inner material to press against the nearby sciatic nerve.
When this nerve compression occurs, it doesn’t just cause localized pain. Since the sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down through your leg, you may experience radiating pain along its entire path. Because this nerve controls both sensation and muscle function, sciatica sufferers often report various symptoms, including:
- Radiating leg pain
- Numbness and tingling
- Pins and needles sensations
- Muscle weakness in the affected leg
While most common in the lower back, disc herniations can occur anywhere along the spine, including multiple levels simultaneously. When these issues develop in the neck (cervical spine), they cause cervical radiculopathy, producing similar symptoms – pain, numbness, and muscle weakness – but in the arms and hands instead of the legs.
Sciatica can also result from significant vertebral misalignment in the lumbar spine. The nerve roots in your lower back are notably larger than those in other spinal regions. When vertebrae shift from their proper position, they can place considerable pressure on these substantial sciatic nerves, triggering intense pain and sensations that radiate into the buttock and leg.
While sciatica often appears suddenly – perhaps while performing a simple task like bending to pick up a shoe – this moment of pain isn’t the beginning of the problem. Rather, it’s the point where accumulated stress finally causes the disc to compress the nerve.
The underlying causes typically develop in one of two ways:
- Trauma to the head, neck, or spine – Even minor injuries can damage the connective tissue holding spinal segments together. Though soft tissues heal within weeks, the spine often remains misaligned.
- Gradual Stress – Repetitive movements, constant lifting, or poor posture gradually weaken the spine’s support structure. Over time, this leads to disc problems and potential sciatic nerve compression.
How can an Upper Cervical Chiropractic Relieves Sciatica?
Our approach begins with a comprehensive spinal analysis and postural assessment to identify the root cause of your sciatica. Since spinal misalignment is the primary source of sciatic nerve compression, we utilize precise X-ray imaging to measure any misalignment and determine the exact correction needed.
Using this detailed analysis, we perform a gentle NUCCA correction to restore proper spinal alignment and overall body balance. This specialized technique helps relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, allowing your body to begin its natural healing process. Many patients experience immediate improvement in their symptoms, while others notice gradual relief as their spine stabilizes in its correct position.