SCIATICA
WHAT IS IT?
Sciatica is one of the most overused and misunderstood terms in musculoskeletal care. It refers to pain, numbness, or weakness that radiates down the leg along the path of the sciatic nerve — but the word gets applied to almost any leg pain without much distinction. True sciatica is caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which can come from a disc herniation, nerve entrapment in the lower back or deep in the glute, or tightness in the surrounding muscles. The source matters because it changes how you treat it. That's why we examine before we assume.
common symptoms and signs
pain that shoots or radiates down one leg, sometimes into the foot
numbness or tingling in the glute, hamstring, calf, or foot
weakness in the leg or foot
pain that gets worse with sitting for long periods
sharp or burning pain with certain movements or positions
low back pain that accompanies the leg symptoms
symptoms that are worse on one side only
Who is a good fit?
you're someone who wants to understand what's going on in your body and actually do something about it. We work best with people who are ready to be an active part of their recovery, not just lie on a table and hope for the best.
why does this happen?
Sciatica shows up in runners, lifters, desk workers, and really anyone — it doesn't discriminate. It's common in people who sit for long periods, those who have had a sudden increase in activity, and those with a history of low back issues. Disc herniations are a frequent culprit, but nerve entrapment from tight muscles deep in the glute is often overlooked and mistaken for something more serious. Age plays a role too as the discs become less resilient over time, but sciatica is far from inevitable and responds well to the right care.
how we treat it
We start with a movement exam to figure out where the nerve is being compressed and what's driving it. From there treatment includes cupping, IASTM, dry needling, and chiropractic adjustments to address the surrounding muscle tension and take pressure off the nerve. Progressive loading and corrective exercises build the strength and stability to keep it from coming back. If symptoms suggest something more serious like a significant disc herniation requiring further intervention, we will refer you out for imaging and work alongside your medical team.
Ready to get back to moving?
Book an appointment and we'll figure out what's going on and how to fix it.