Sciatica is a symptom and a sign of trouble with the sciatic nerve. It can be caused by a disc bulge or many other clinical issues. Sometimes all leg pain is called sciatica and that is incorrect. Sciatica is pressure on the sciatic nerve and to wherever the nerve travels to creates the symptoms and that’s only in specific parts of the leg. Could be pain, pins and needles, numbness or muscle weakness.
The Sciatic nerve travels through some tight spots and any entrapment needs to be diagnosed. The entrapment area is treated and usually the sciatica is resolved.
There are a few areas in this area to diagnose. Is it a pelvic rotation that creates pressure on the disc and bulges the disc due to the rotation. Is it the sacrum rotating or flexing forward creating the disc to bulge forward or backwards. Is it the sacrum restricted in motion against the pelvis making the piriformis muscle to spasm and since the sciatic nerve travels through the piriformis muscle, it puts pressure on the sciatic nerve causing either severe pain and/or numbness and pins and needles, and muscle weakness in the leg. Dragging your leg or foot is a clear sign of possible disc bulge on the sciatic nerve.
Treatment involves specific chiropractic adjustments to guide the bulged disc to its correct position together with exercises to maintain that position. Exercises alone will not correct most disc bulges.
