What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is caused by the compression of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back, through your hips, and goes down into your legs. This nerve compression triggers pain in the lower back, buttocks, and leg. For some people, sciatica causes mild irritation. For others, the pain can be so severe that it is debilitating. If not treated, sciatica can cause serious nerve damage.
Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica
People suffering from sciatica experience pain in the lower back and buttocks. It may sometimes be a burning pain, and other times may have a shooting sensation. The pain may radiate down the legs, even sometimes going all the way down to the feet. Sciatica may cause some tingling and numbness in the extremities as well.
Sciatica pain may be triggered by movements such as walking, bending, or lifting objects. Other times it can be made worse from long periods of sitting.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Sciatica
The upper cervical spine starts just under the base of the skull and under the brainstem. It goes through the neck and comprises the top seven vertebrae. The job of the upper cervical spine is to protect all the nerves that lead from the brain and down the spinal cord. These nerves help transmit messages to and from the brain.
The neck is a sensitive area, and it doesn’t take a particularly hard jolt to cause a misalignment of the upper cervical spine. If the vertebrae are misaligned, it may result in compressed nerves and disrupt the signals being sent from the brain. If the sciatic nerve becomes compressed and signals misfire, it results in sciatica and triggers pain.
How Our Upper Cervical Treatment Works for Sciatica
Dr. Noah Kaplan, owner of the Advanced Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, is among the elite Upper Cervical Chiropractors in Northern California. He specializes in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, which focuses on the upper seven vertebrae and the major role they play in the body’s overall health.
Dr. Kaplan, a member of the Blair Chiropractic Society, has the only office in the East Bay area to utilize revolutionary 3D diagnostic imaging technology to visualize and measure the alignment of the upper cervical spine. After precision computations, the doctor can then make the required corrections to help alleviate the sciatic nerve and put the body on the path to healing.
If sciatica has been interfering with your ability to work, play, and enjoy life, contact Dr. Kaplan about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
Schedule an Appointment or a Free Consultation
Call us at (925) 357-3080 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment or a free consultation.
