Sciatica causes shooting pain that begins in the lower back and radiates down the legs. The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest of all the body’s nerves. It runs from the spinal column near the pelvis down each leg, and can be as wide as your thumb. Each sciatic nerve is made up of five smaller nerves that branch into the thigh, knee, calf, ankle, and foot. Sciatica occurs when this nerve is compressed, irritated, or inflamed.

Although the problem appears to be in the legs, the source is typically located in the lower back, where bulging discs irritate nearby nerves, causing inflammation.   Taking pain killers will reduce the inflammation, but the underlying problem will remain.  Chiropractic care addresses the source of the problem.