Sciatica: An Alternative and Natural Treatment

What is Sciatica? 

Sciatica is a painful condition that affects the lower back, torso, and legs. The condition is caused by dysfunction in the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. The sciatic nerve is located in the lower back, and it runs down the back of the thigh, through the hip, and down the leg.

The sciatic nerve has two branches: the tibial nerve and the common peroneal nerve. When these nerves become inflamed or pinched, it can lead to pain, numbness, and weakness in the legs and lower back.

Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica is a condition that can vary widely in intensity. The most common symptom of sciatica is pain that radiates from the lower back down to the back of the legs. This pain may be felt as a dull ache or as a sharp, stabbing pain.

How the Upper Cervical Spine Effects Sciatica

The upper cervical spine is the most important structure in the body when it comes to the treatment of sciatica. Sciatica is often caused by a vertebral misalignment in the upper cervical spine. This misalignment can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma to the back or neck, whiplash, postural issues, or a slipped or herniated disc.

Whatever the cause, upper cervical misalignments are a major contributor to the symptoms of sciatica. If the spine is misaligned, the ensuing inflammation and muscle tension can place pressure directly on the sciatic nerve. Left untreated, the misaligned vertebrae will pinch, press against, and inflame the nerve, leading to symptoms of sciatica.

How Our Sciatica Treatment Works

Our upper cervical chiropractic care focuses on correcting the misalignment in the upper cervical spine. By restoring proper function to the upper cervical spine, our patients are able to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.

The first step in our sciatica treatment is to identify whether you are suffering from a vertebral misalignment. To do so, our expert chiropractor, Dr. Hoefer, will scan your spine using a combination of digital X-rays and cone-beam computed tomography scans. Armed with the results of this examination, Dr. Hoefer will perform a series of gentle, non-invasive chiropractic adjustments to restore proper alignment to the upper cervical spine, and thereby reduce or even eliminate the symptoms of sciatica.

If you’re looking for a natural solution to sciatica, we’re here to help! Dr. Hoefer services patients in Orange County, including Anaheim, Rancho Santa Margarita, Dana Point, San Clemente, Costa Mesa, Huntington Beach, Irvine, Laguna Niguel, Mission Viejo, Newport Beach, and Santa Ana.