Sciatica

image of a wallet in a jean pocket
Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. Occasionally, sciatic pain in men is caused by sitting on a wallet.

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It runs from your pelvis, through your hip area and buttocks and down each leg. The sciatic nerve branches into smaller nerves as it travels down the legs providing feeling to your thighs, legs, and feet as well as controlling many of the muscles in your lower legs. The term sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of this nerve.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is actually a sign that you have an underlying problem putting pressure on a nerve in your lower back. The most common cause of this nerve compression is a bulging or herniated lumbar disc. Piriformis syndrome is another common cause of sciatica. The piriformis is a muscle that lies directly over the sciatic nerve. If this muscle becomes tight or if you have a spasm in this muscle, it puts pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Occasionally, sciatic pain in men is caused by sitting on a wallet.

How do I Know if I Have Sciatica?

Pain that radiates from your lower (lumbar) spine to your buttock and down the back of your leg is the hallmark of sciatica. Sciatica may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg. This pain can vary widely, from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or excruciating discomfort. Sometimes it may feel like a jolt or electric shock. Sciatic pain often starts gradually and intensifies over time. It's likely to be worse when you sit, cough or sneeze.

How is Sciatica Treated?

The vast majority of the time, sciatic pain can be relieved through a combination of stretches, deep tissue massage of the piriformis muscle and chiropractic care. Occasionally, in cases where chronic spasm of the low back or piriformis muscles is causing the sciatic pain, it may be necessary to do a procedure called a trigger point injection, where a medical pain specialist injects a small amount of anesthetic directly into a spasmed muscle to break the spasm cycle. However, this is typically not necessary.

Exclusive Offer

New Patients Receive A Free Consultation

Office Hours

Our Regular Schedule

Primary Office

Monday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-6:00 pm

Friday:

9:00 am-5:00 pm

Saturday:

9:00 am-12:00 pm

Sunday:

Closed

Location

Find us on the map

Testimonials

Reviews By Our Satisfied Patients

  • "Best I've been to. Passionate about his practice, explains his techniques. Relief every time."
  • "After more than seven years of debilitating back and hip pain, I am finally experiencing near-complete relief due to Dr. LaVelle's expert care. His approach to chiropractic medicine is comprehensive and holistic, and his treatment protocols are based on individuals' needs rather than cookie-cutter responses. Because of Dr. LaVelle's care, I'm once again able to aggressively pursue and enjoy an active lifestyle, including my passion for physical fitness. If you need chiropractic help, I highly recommend this gifted practitioner."
  • "My back feels better than it has in years. Dr. LaVelle suggested preventative measures that I can take such as stretches and additions to my normal workout routine. It's great knowing that there is someone that I can trust to help me live a healthier life."
  • "Dr. LaVelle and his staff are courteous and professional."
  • "Dr. B is amazing. Whole health care. Mind, body, spirit. Living pain free is wonderful."
  • "Brandon has helped our family tremendously the last few years. I have walked in crying with extremely limited movement and have walked out with great relief. Our children have been receiving adjustments since they were 1 years old."
  • "I don't typically like to plug businesses, but this guy deserves it without a doubt. They got me in as fast as possible and immediately began making things better. I can actually walk again."

Featured Articles

Read about interesting topics

NEWSLETTER SIGN UP

Sign up for more articles