Sciatica- What’s Really Going on

Posted on by zgower

Understanding Sciatica and Nerve Involvement

Sciatica is a set of symptoms caused by irritation, compression, or inflammation of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it. The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the human body, formed by several nerve roots in the lower spine (L4 to S3) that bundle together and run down the back of each leg. When one or more of these nerve fibers are irritated, signals along the nerve can become disrupted — resulting in pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness along its path. 

The Nerve Fibers Involved

Motor fibers (efferent)– Carry signals from the brain to muscles, telling them when and how to contract. Irritation here can lead to weakness in the leg or foot. 

  • Overactive firing = muscle tightness, spasms, or cramping.
  • Underactive / blocked firing = weakness, difficulty lifting the foot (foot drop), or trouble standing on toes/heels.

Sensory fibers (afferent)– Carry information from the skin, joints, and muscles back to the brain. Involvement can cause pain, tingling, burning, or numbness. 

  • Overactive firing = heightened pain sensitivity (burning, sharp shooting pain).
  • Underactive / blocked firing = numbness, “dead” feeling, or loss of position sense.

Autonomic fibers – Help control blood vessel flow, sweat glands, and other automatic processes in the leg. These are less often affected, but can play a role in changes in skin temperature, color, circulation, abnormal sweating in the affected leg.

Common Causes

A herniated or bulging disc pressing on nerve roots. Degenerative changes narrowing the nerve pathways (spinal stenosis). Piriformis syndrome — when a tight piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve in the buttock. Inflammation from injury or repetitive strain. 

How Nerves React to Subluxation: From Overexcited to Underactive

  • When a nerve is irritated — it usually goes through a progression of responses:

Early Irritation = Overexcited Nerve

  • At first, the nerve becomes hyperactive.
  • This means it’s firing too much, sending excessive signals to the brain.
  • Patients feel this as pain, tingling, burning, or hypersensitivity.
  • Muscles controlled by these fibers spasm/ tighten from overstimulation
  • Think of this as a “short circuit” — too much signal, too fast.

Prolonged Irritation or Compression = Underactive Nerve

If interference continues, the nerve starts to fatigue or shut down.

  • Conduction of signals becomes weaker.
  • Sensory effects = numbness, dullness, or loss of sensation.
  • Motor effects = muscle weakness, loss of reflexes, even atrophy if long-term.
  • Think of this as the nerve “burning out” after being overstimulated.
  • Chronic Dysfunction = Mixed Picture
  • Some fibers may still be overactive (causing burning or electric pain).
  • Others may be underactive (causing numbness or weakness).

Addressing the Root Cause

Chiropractic care reduces interference in the nervous system, allowing proper communication between the brain and body, so nerves can function normally again. Improving spinal alignment and motion releases muscular tension, supports overall nerve health through movement, improved posture and circulation. The body’s innate intelligence is able to better self heal and regulate with a clear nervous system. 

Health Wisdom

Posted on by zgower

What’s Good Health?

The word health comes from the old english word hale, meaning “wholeness, a person who is whole, sound of mind and well.”  If you’re healthy, you’re meant to be whole in every aspect of life.

The World Health Organization definition is- “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.”

It doesn’t say health is the absence of symptoms. 

Here’s some thoughts on health from some great minds throughout history.

Hippocrates said, “We must turn to nature itself, to the observations of the body in health and in disease to learn the truth” and “A wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings and learn how by his own thought to derive benefit from his illnesses.” I agree with Hippocrates.

H.G. Bohn said, “Nature, time and patience are three great physicians.” 

Benjamin Disraeli said, “Time is the great physician.”

An old Spanish proverb says, “A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his own car and tools.”

Alexander the Great even said, “I am dying with the help of too many physicians.” while Benjamin Franklin said, “GOD heals, and the doctor takes the fee.”

“The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not.” — Mark Twain

These thoughts on health have been around for centuries and stand the test of time.

When people don’t take proper care of themselves, there’s consequences over time. Once health is lost, it’s often a long, painful and expensive road to recover it. People come to this office wanting instant relief and to be “fixed” overnight.  I want everyone to feel better, however everyones healing process is unique. Only you are responsible and in control of your health.  

Health is maintained through positive lifestyle habits including regular exercise, good nutrition, clean water, sunshine, sleep, positive mindset and nervous system that functions at 100% with no interference.

We don’t diagnose or treat your symptoms from outside- in as is common in allopathic approaches. Chiropractic helps your body’s innate intelligence to remove interferences and self heal from above -down- inside- out.  That’s true health and well-being.

– Adapted from an article from my good friend and fellow chiropractor Dr. Johnny Mac. 

Innate Intelligence

Posted on by zgower

The Life Force Power In You

I love Chiropractic and it’s ability to enhance your connection to your body’s innate healing power.    

Chiropractic Principle #3- The Union of Intelligence and Matter, states;  Life is necessarily the union of intelligence and matter. 

We possess a wisdom and power in us to heal.  Chiropractic allows your life force, the power of life within you, to function optimally. This gives you the ability to fully experience your life potential.  

Imagine the electrical power system in your house.  The utility company sends the electrical power (your brain) and the light switches turn the power on, which comes out of the light bulbs (organs), which is all connected by wires (your nerves).  Now sometimes, no power/ or less light is transmitted through- and there’s a problem with the power circuits.  The dimmer switch could be on or the circuit breaker could be switched off (your spine), not allowing full light power.  We must fix the electrical circuit breaker/ light switch to allow full power to flow through.  

It’s similar with your body.  If full power isn’t being transmitted through the body, your body isn’t sending/ receiving signals efficiently from the brain, which causes dis-ease, breakdown and less power over time.  Symptoms show up, pain, muscle weakness, disease process from the body not working efficiently. 

Chiropractic adjustments allow the innate intelligence to connect through the spine and nervous system to every part of your body to heal, adapt and regenerate to maintain health. 

Chiropractic helps your body’s innate intelligence to remove interferences and self heal from above -down- inside- out.  That’s the awesome healing power of life within you.