Sciatica, pain down the leg, is caused by nerve impingement. Location of the impingement is commonly thought to be in the lumbar spine, where the nerves exit between the vertebrae and travel down to the legs, forming the large nerve “trunk” called the sciatic nerve.
If there are degenerative changes in the lumbar spine, and / or if there is history of injury, the lumbar region may indeed be the site of impingement.
But another, often overlooked, site of impingement that causes sciatica is in the gluteal region, where the sciatic nerve passes between the muscles, specifically underneath a muscle called the piriformis. If the piriformis is in spasm, it can cause sciatica.
Episodes of pressure on the piriformis, such as from sitting on hard surfaces, can also impinge of the sciatic nerve where it passes under the muscle, resulting in sciatica.
Orthopedic tests and X-ray can help discern the origin of impingement, but often a trial treatment of precise Activator Chiropractic adjustments, specific stretches, and home care counseling can solve the problem, making X-ray unnecessary.
