Sciatica is one of the most common and most misunderstood pain conditions we see. The term refers to pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the hip and buttock and down the back of the leg. It's not a diagnosis itself but a symptom of an underlying problem compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve.
The most common causes include lumbar disc herniation, where disc material presses against the nerve root; spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal; and piriformis syndrome, where a tight muscle in the buttock compresses the nerve as it passes beneath. Each cause requires a different treatment approach, which is why accurate diagnosis matters so much.
Sciatica symptoms range from a dull ache to sharp, burning pain, and may include numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the affected leg. Symptoms are typically one-sided. If you experience sudden onset of severe symptoms, loss of bladder or bowel control, or progressive weakness in both legs, seek emergency medical attention — these may indicate a serious condition called cauda equina syndrome.
For the vast majority of sciatica cases, conservative treatment including chiropractic care, stretching, and targeted exercise resolves symptoms within 6 to 12 weeks. Our approach focuses on decompressing the affected nerve through spinal adjustments and flexion-distraction technique, releasing tight muscles contributing to nerve compression, and strengthening the core stabilizers that protect the lumbar spine from future episodes.