Sciatica

Sciatica is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower back down through the hips and legs. When it's inflamed, the pain can feel sharp, burning, electric, or like a deep ache. It can come from a disc issue, a tight piriformis muscle, joint dysfunction in the lower back, a combination of all three, or something else. Proper examination will determine where it is coming from.

Common signs of sciatica

• Sharp or burning pain shooting down one leg

• Pain that starts in the lower back or glute

• Numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" in the leg or foot

• Weakness in the affected leg

• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or coughing

• Difficulty standing up or finding a comfortable position

How we treat sciatica

• Chiropractic adjustments to relieve pressure on the lumbar spine and nerve roots

• Soft tissue therapy on the piriformis, glutes, and lumbar musculature

• Specific rehab exercises to stabilize the spine and decompress the nerve

Sciatica isn't a diagnosis on its own — it's a symptom. Treating the why is the only way it actually goes away.

If you're dealing with sciatica that hasn't responded to rest, stretching, or medication, there's likely a structural or movement-based cause that hasn't been addressed yet. That's exactly what we look for.