The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back all the way through your buttocks and down to your lower legs. Because it’s so long and wide, it’s easy to see why most pain in the legs is related to it in some way. Officially named sciatica, this pain is actually not caused by the sciatic nerve itself for about 90% of sufferers who are in pain in the Columbus area and beyond. Instead, the pain in the nerve is often aggravated by another issue, such as a pinched nerve, slipped disc, excess weight, improper posture, or herniation. Unfortunately, most traditional doctors don’t actually look for the root cause of the sciatic nerve pain, which is why those issues are never identified. The good news is that you’re not out of alternatives for help, as chiropractors like Dr. Overton offer in-depth care that looks for the root cause of the pain.

Your Sciatica Pain

If you want to know the true root cause of your sciatic pain, it’s important to get the comprehensive testing and exams that only a chiropractor can offer. Instead of looking at just your nerve, a chiropractor will look at the rest of your body to determine what’s contributing to the irritation. Once they are aware of that, they will be able to start addressing what’s really contributing to your pain through natural solutions. For example, a chiropractic adjustment for a slipped disc or even weight loss could alleviate the inflammation to the sciatic nerve, naturally eliminating pain.

What You Need to Know About Sciatic Pain

• Lower back pain is often the first symptom of this pain, so if this is something you’re experiencing, it’s important to have a full body exam done to minimize the risk of leg pain as well. It’s estimated that 5-10% of lower back pain sufferers have sciatica.
• Eating healthy and exercising on a regular basis can help strengthen your body and reduce the risk of sciatica. Fortunately, chiropractic medicine uses exercise and nutritional therapy to help patients achieve a healthier body.
• Without proper testing, it’s impossible to know for certain what is causing your sciatica. Medications might help relieve the pain temporarily, but those will eventually wear off and leave you uncomfortable again.

If you feel that you’re suffering from or are at risk of sciatica, then it’s important to meet with a chiropractor as soon as possible. Being the longest nerve in the entire body, the pain will only broaden and worsen if the underlying issue is left to progress. Remember, sciatica is the symptom of something deeper going on, and Dr. Overton is a chiropractic care provider you can rely on to identify that issue from the start of your care.