The sciatic nerve is the longest and largest in the body. When it is inflamed, the condition is called sciatica (pronounced si-add-ica). Not all leg pain is sciatica, but most all sciatica involves leg pain. Sciatica sufferers often have severe pain along the sciatic nerve path, usually in the back of legs and thighs, although sometimes the pain is felt in ankle, foot and toes. Occasionally pain is felt in the front or side of the legs, in the hips or for some hapless sufferers in both legs.  Apart from pain, paresthesia or pins and needles, burning, tingling, prickling, crawling sensations or tenderness may be felt.  Ironically the painful leg might feel numb as well. Sciatica is hell to sufferers. Sleeping, sitting, walking, bending, turning or standing up may be difficult or impossible.

Although Chiropractic is not a treatment for Sciatica, it has been a blessing to millions of such sufferers.  For example, one research study of 60 patients showed that spinal care should be the care of choice for sciatic sufferers. In another controlled study of four different approaches (spinal care, traction, two types of spinal injections) the group that had spinal care experienced the greatest degree of recovery. Interestingly, a large number in the traction group eventually required surgery.