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Sciatica Specialist

Spence Chiropractic Center

Chiropractors located in San Diego, CA

Sciatica pain can make your day-to-day activities difficult to do, especially if it’s severe or persistent. This pain can also cause you to have a hard time finding a comfortable position, whether you’re standing, sitting, or lying down, which can lead to problems with sleeping or working. At Spence Chiropractic Center, Dr. Christopher Spence offers sciatica treatment for patients in San Diego, California, who suffer from this pain.

Sciatica Q & A


What is sciatica?

Sciatica is pain that affects parts of your body that your sciatic nerve runs through, and it usually happens due to an underlying spinal problem. Although sciatic pain can be severe, there are ways to relieve it and lower your risk of having it come back.

What are the signs of sciatica?

If you have sciatica, you might have one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Pain that mainly affects your lower back, flank, leg, or foot on the affected side
  • Pain that radiates from your lower back down to your foot
  • Pain that ranges from a dull ache to sharp jolts in the affected area
  • Pain that worsens when you move in ways that affect your lower back
  • Numbness or tingling on the affected side

What causes sciatica?

When a herniated disc, bone spur, or other spinal problem puts pressure on your sciatic nerve, it becomes inflamed. This nerve, which is the longest in your body, reaches from your lower back to your foot. Pressure on any part of this nerve leads to discomfort and other symptoms of sciatica.

What are the risk factors for sciatica?

You might have an increased risk of having sciatica if you have any of the following risk factors:

  • Obesity or being overweight
  • Sitting for long periods of time
  • Not getting regular physical activity
  • Nerve problems due to diabetes
  • Age-related problems with spinal discs, such as degenerative disc disease

How does chiropractic care help sciatica?

Chiropractic adjustments remove pressure from your sciatic nerve, resulting in relief from pain and other symptoms. Dr. Spence performs these adjustments to ensure that your spine is properly aligned. You shouldn’t feel any pain during these adjustments, although your back might feel slightly sore afterward (this is only temporary).

How can I prevent sciatica from coming back?

Dr. Spence provides you with information on steps you can take to reduce your risk of having sciatic pain again. He might also recommend doing physical therapy along with chiropractic care. Physical therapy makes your back muscles stronger, which might help prevent sciatica from returning.

If you need sciatica treatment in San Diego, please contact Spence Chiropractic Center for an appointment with Dr. Spence.