Call Us : (650) 595-0500
Email Us
Request an Appointment

Can Neck Problems Cause Back Pain and Sciatica?

sciaticaSciatica is a disorder which causes a set of symptoms including pain in the derrière or leg that becomes worse when sitting, standing or squatting, also it can cause a burning or tingling “pins and needles” sensation in the leg, weakness, numbness, difficulty of motion in the foot or leg.  The sciatic nerve runs from the spine through the buttocks, the tight and down the leg on both sides of the body.  It is not abnormal for symptoms to manifest only on one side of the body.

Causes of Sciatica

Back pain and sciatica can be caused by disc problems in the back.  Muscle trauma or injury is another cause for sciatica.  Extra weight causes pressure on the lower back, so pregnancy and obesity are also common sciatica pain causes.  In addition there are some spinal diseases such as swelling, arthritis and cancer that can cause the pain as well.

Common Medical Treatments

Most sciatica patients begin with NSAID’s such as Advil which help to bring down swelling and pain levels.  Muscle relaxers and epidural steroid medicines are also used for anesthetic and swelling relief.  In certain cases, surgery can be done, to fix a damaged disk or remove a tumor, for example.  But many people are concerned about the side effects associated with drugs and surgery.

Upper Cervical Chiropractic

Seeking proper alignment through upper cervical chiropractic could be the answer to relieve your back pain and sciatica without drugs or surgery.  The ultimate goal of upper cervical chiropractic care is to correct misalignments in the spine that may be leading to long standing postural problems.

So since upper cervical chiropractic focuses on alignment in the area of the upper spine, how does it help sciatica which is pain at the lower area of the spine?  It helps because misalignment in the top of spine causes a shift that forces your body to compensate.  Therefore, fixing  misalignments at the top of the spine through upper cervical chiropractic, can help as your body begins to perform properly with no more over-correction for misalignments at the top of the spine.  If you are interested in the benefits of upper cervical chiropractic for sciatica, begin by scheduling a consultation with an upper cervical chiropractor in your area.

What to Do Next

To find an upper cervical chiropractor in your area go to or or if you are in the Bay Area, to schedule your NUCCA evaluation, click here.

