Sciatica and Piriformis Syndrome-Grace Chiropractic Center

A common condition that is treated in Chiropractic offices is Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome. These conditions can feel the same but their causes are different. Sciatica is commonly caused by a disc putting pressure on one of the lumbar nerves. L4 and L5 nerve roots make up a portion of the sciatic nerve. Sacral nerves S1-S3 make up the other parts of the sciatic nerve. These nerve roots merge together to form the largest and longest nerve in the body. The nerve is the largest (about the size of your thumb) where it exits between some pelvic muscles and continues down the back of your leg until it reaches the knee. At that point the nerve branches off into the Peroneal nerve and Tibial nerve and controls the innervation of the top and bottom of that foot.

Sciatica and Piriformis syndrome are caused by irritation/pressure to the main nerve or a branch of the nerve. Piriformis syndrome is a result of the Piriformis muscle putting pressure/irritation to the sciatic nerve. Causes of Piriformis syndrome can range from overuse, injury, malformation of the structures-muscles, sports-biking, running, yard work, etc. We commonly see it during the spring and fall when people are doing more outside such as raking leaves, heavy lifting, working out in the gym. The treatment for Sciatica and Piriformis are different but normally begin to progress with good improvement with corrective treatment. Further more we teach patients how to help avoid having these conditions again and become aware if it feels like they are having it again.  Symptoms range from numbness, tingling, weakness, shooting/stabbing pain down the back of the leg and may continue down to the foot.  These are common conditions that medications many times do not help, because of there severity. Understanding that each of these conditions are neuro-muscular or neuro-disc related. Medications do not move bones, joints or muscles, but we do at Grace Chiropractic Center. Dr. Clay Gross

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