Nerve Pain Down the Leg
Sciatica
Sciatica is nerve pain that runs down the back of the leg, and it's almost always caused by something compressing the sciatic nerve at the spine, in the pelvis, or along the path of the nerve itself. So treating it as "leg pain" misses the source.
About Sciatica
The sciatic nerve is the longest in the body. It exits the lower spine, runs through the pelvis, passes under or through the piriformis muscle, and travels down the back of the leg into the foot. Compression anywhere along that path can produce the burning, shooting, or numbing pain patients describe as sciatica.
The two most common causes we see are a disc issue in the lower lumbar spine irritating the nerve as it exits, or piriformis syndrome where the deep gluteal muscle is squeezing the nerve in the pelvis. Both respond well to chiropractic care, but they need different treatment approaches. That's why the first visit is a thorough assessment to find where the compression is actually happening.
Most sciatica patients feel meaningful relief within the first 3 to 5 visits. The combination of gentle adjustments to relieve the compression, cold laser therapy to reduce nerve inflammation, medical massage to release the muscles around the nerve path, and targeted rehabilitation to keep it from coming back works for the vast majority of patients without surgery.
Common Symptoms
- •Sharp or burning pain down one leg
- •Numbness or tingling in the foot
- •Weakness in the leg
- •Pain that's worse with sitting or bending
- •Pain that wakes you up at night
- •Pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down
- •Difficulty standing from a seated position
What's Actually Causing It
Lumbar disc herniation or bulge compressing the nerve root, piriformis syndrome (the deep gluteal muscle squeezing the nerve), spinal stenosis narrowing the nerve's passage, pelvic misalignment, prolonged sitting, and inflammation along the nerve path.
How We Treat Sciatica
Adjustments to relieve the source of the compression, cold laser therapy to reduce nerve inflammation, medical massage to release the muscles around the nerve path, and rehabilitation to keep it from coming back. Most sciatica patients feel relief within a few visits.
Services We Use
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast does chiropractic care work for sciatica?
Most sciatica patients feel meaningful relief within 3 to 5 visits. Full resolution depends on the cause and how long it's been going on, but the vast majority of cases resolve without surgery when treated properly.
Can sciatica come back after treatment?
It can if the underlying cause isn't addressed. That's why our treatment plans include rehabilitation exercises and lifestyle guidance — to prevent the patterns that produced the sciatica in the first place from returning.
Do I need surgery for sciatica?
Most sciatica patients don't need surgery. Conservative chiropractic care resolves the majority of cases. Surgery is reserved for severe nerve damage, loss of bladder/bowel control, or progressive weakness that doesn't respond to conservative treatment.
Related Conditions
Conditions that often present together with sciatica.
Back Pain
Back pain is the most common reason patients walk into a chiropractic office, and it's also one of the most misdiagnosed. So we see patients who've been told their pain is from one disc, when it's actually coming from a joint two levels up the chain, or from a foot mechanic that's pulling their pelvis out of alignment.
Learn more →Herniated Disc
A herniated disc is when the soft inner core of a spinal disc pushes through the outer wall and presses on nearby nerves. So the pain isn't from the disc itself, it's from the nerve the disc is now irritating. Most herniated discs respond to conservative care without surgery, especially when caught early.
Learn more →Posture Correction
Bad posture isn't a habit. It's the result of muscle imbalances, joint restrictions, and movement patterns that have built up over time. So fixing posture means fixing the underlying mechanics, not just standing up straighter.
Learn more →Ready to Treat Sciatica?
Call us or fill out the contact form. We'll assess what's actually going on and build a plan to get you back in action.