Low back pain is one of the most common conditions people suffer with, with at least four out of five adults experiencing it at some point in their lives. The causes of low back pain vary from poor lifting or incorrect carrying of heavy weights, poor posture, stress, pregnancy and general wear and tear.

The body is supported by the spine, which carries our spinal cord and nervous system. Nerves branch off the spinal cord between the vertebrae. Therefore, injury may not only lead to local inflammation and pain, but also to irritation of the spinal nerves causing pain elsewhere in the body.

Sciatica is caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the base of the spine down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatic pain can be caused for one of two reasons. There may be a specific injury to this region of the body, or the pain may be caused by an injury to the lower back which is resulting in “referred pain”. The sciatic nerve may also be compressed via the piriformis muscle, commonly known as “piriformis syndrome”. This condition mirrors the symptoms of a disc injury and responds extremely well to chiropractic care.