Sciatica & Low Back Pain

Sciatica refers to pain in the lumbar region (lower back) or lumbosacral region (where the lower back meets the buttocks) radiating down to the leg, with associated weakness or numbness. Sciatica is a description of the symptoms experienced when the sciatic nerve is compressed or inflamed – but it alone does not describe the root cause of the problem. Often, malalignments along the spinal column, or irritated and inflamed muscles in the lower back and particularly in the hips can cause sciatica. We believe the core problem leading to sciatica is muscle weakness.

Muscles pull on and move bones, including the hips and vertebral bones of the lumbar spine. Muscle imbalance – weak muscles unable to properly support joints and to adequately balance opposing muscles – can cause bony structures to be pulled out of their proper alignment and end up pressing on the sciatic nerve. Other conditions can certainly contribute to sciatic pain, such as systemic inflammation, malnutrition, and constipation. As with all conditions, we seek to uncover the root cause of the problem and correct it using treatments such as acupuncture and acupressure, physical therapy stretches and reconditioning exercises, yoga poses, myofascial release, nutritional supplements, and dietary modifications.