Do you have sciatica?

Sciatica is more than one thing

Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, usually from the low back into the buttock and down the leg. A disc, the way the spine lines up, or tight muscle in the hip can all irritate that nerve. Without a look at those parts, it is hard to say where the pain is coming from. This is a guide to the issues we see most often. A visit is how we tell which one is yours.

Pain down the leg

People describe a sharp, burning, or deep ache that leaves the low back and shows up in the buttock, the thigh, or the foot. It can stay on one side. A long drive, a desk day, or a walk can all turn it up. The pain is real even when nobody can point to one injury. Care here looks at the structural pattern that keeps feeding it, not only the sore spot.

Disc irritation

The discs sit between the vertebrae. When the outer edge is damaged, the center can bulge or push out and irritate a nerve. That is a common reason pain, tingling, or weakness shows up in the leg. The first job is to see how far it has gone, so care does not make it worse. Low back pain and disc injury are covered on the back pain page.

Numbness and weakness

Sciatica is not only pain. Some people feel pins and needles, a patch of numbness, or a leg that tires or gives a little. The exam looks at whether a nerve is involved and which one, so care is aimed at the right place.

Tightness through the hip

Tight muscle in the buttock and hip can send pain down the leg even when the disc is not the driver. The first job is to tell those apart. Neck pain that travels into the shoulder is a different pattern, covered on the neck pain page.

When it needs a different doctor

Changes in bowel or bladder control, or weakness that is getting worse quickly, need a medical doctor now. Other problems outside the spine can also send pain down the leg. Those need to be sorted out, not guessed at. The exam is how we tell whether chiropractic care is the right next step.

Measured, then tracked

A thorough exam lets us see what is going on. We take objective measures of structure and function, including on-site X-rays, and we use those measures to track progress. The exam covers a wide set of metrics, so plan 90 to 120 minutes for the initial visit.

Peter Lenhart, Director of Rehab, helps patients improve structure and function with specialized exercises and angular tractions. More on the approach is on the CBP page.

I first came to see Dr. Eberle when chronic, moderate neck and back pain that was previously unsuccessfully treated by other doctors turned into severe pain, and began to interfere with my job. Within a few visits, I was no longer struggling at work! Dr. Eberle's approach to chiropractic treatment is far more comprehensive than other offices I've been to and caters to long-term, full body health, while also paying attention to any acute concerns. My body is significantly healing and healthier after being in Dr. Eberle's care!Nicole

Questions about sciatica