The most common cause of sciatica is a lumbar disc bulge. In the older patient, sciatica may be associated with compression of the nerve root caused by spinal degeneration or spinal canal stenosis.

Conditions which may cause sciatica include:
• Lumbar Disc Bulge
• Spinal Degeneration
• Spinal Canal Stenosis
• Spondylolisthesis
• Piriformis Syndrome
• Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction

Other less common conditions which may also cause sciatica include:
• tumors
• bony growths
• infections

Treatment for sciatica varies greatly depending on the cause. Accurate diagnosis from a chiropractor or doctor is therefore required to determine the most appropriate treatment.

Sciatica refers to symptoms experienced from compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve. Symptoms usually include single-sided low back pain which radiates into the buttock and/or leg and can also include muscle spasm, pins and needles, numbness or weakness. Although symptoms typically affect only one side of the body, both sides may be affected.
Whilst sciatica is a common complaint, the term is often misunderstood. It is important to realize that sciatica is not a diagnosis, but a description of symptoms. There are a number of conditions which can cause compression or irritation to the sciatic nerve resulting in sciatica, and treatment for each of these conditions differs.