MD Cause:  Unknown. Really?! The MDs don’t even know what causes sciatica???

MD Rx:  Pain medications.

ND Cause: Spastic butt muscles which are squishing the sciatic nerve. Spastic muscles anywhere in the body are a function of calcium and magnesium deficiencies.

Discussion: The sciatic nerve is one of the largest nerves in the body. It comes out of the lumbar vertebrae crosses through the but goes through a hole in your pelvis down into the leg. The muscles that the sciatic nerve goes through in the butt are numerous. They completely cover the top, bottom and sides of the sciatic nerve. When any of those muscles becomes cramped, they will press on and irritate the sciatic nerve. This is undoubtedly the most common cause of sciatica. 

Sometimes when muscles have been chronically cramped, even when the body is given enough calcium and magnesium to fix the problem the muscles will remain locked-up in a cramped state. This is when a good bodyworker is worth their weight in gold. Deep tissue massage is designed to manually unlock the cramped muscles. Ask around and find a bodyworker with a good reputation and go for a treatment or two.  Chiropractic treatment can also be invaluable here.

Sciatica can also be caused by a problem with the inter-vertebral discs in your back. The brain coalesces into the spinal cord at the rear of the skull and travels all the way down your back into your butt. It is protected by the vertebrae in your back (your backbones) that the chiropractors adjust.  Along its entire length, nerves exit the spinal cord and travel to virtually every part of the body. Between the vertebrae, where the nerves exit the spinal cord, are structures called inter-vertebral discs. The inter-vertebral discs are made from cartilage and act as shock absorbers, cushioning the nerves as they exit the spinal cord.  If the inter-vertebral discs become damaged, or become unhealthy, then their ability to cushion the nerves is decreased. This condition is referred to as Degenerative Disc Disease. If the inter-vertebral disc that is in the part of the back where the sciatic nerve exits the spinal cord becomes damaged or degenerates, then any movement whatsoever can cause irritation to the spinal cord resulting in sciatica. One of the hallmarks of Degenerative Disc Disease is that you are shorter than you were when you were in your 20s.  Your back-bones are not shrinking, the intervertebral discs are. So, you get shorter. X-rays, or CT scans, or MRIs can also be used to help to Diagnose Degenerative Disc Disease.

My Rx– In addition to the 90 EN: 

• Beyond Osteo Fx powder: 1 bottle per 100 pounds per month. 2 scoops per bottle per day in 2 divided doses. Mix 1 scoop with 3 ounces of fresh squeezed orange juice and 3 ounces of water.