Understanding Sciatica: How Chiropractic Identifies and Treats the Root Cause

If you’ve ever felt a sharp, burning pain shooting down your leg, there’s a good chance you were dealing with sciatica — a condition that affects millions but is often misunderstood.

At our chiropractic clinic, we see patients every week who are surprised to learn that their leg pain isn’t from a pulled muscle… it’s coming from their spine.

💥 What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a condition itself, but a symptom of irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve — the longest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower back and travels through the hips, buttocks, and down each leg.

Common causes of sciatic nerve irritation include:

• Herniated or bulging discs

• Spinal misalignments (subluxations)

• Piriformis syndrome

• Degenerative disc disease

• Poor posture or spinal instability

Sciatica symptoms can include:

• Sharp or burning pain down one leg

• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot

• Muscle weakness

• Pain that worsens with sitting or standing too long

🩺 How Chiropractors Diagnose Sciatica

Chiropractors take a full-body approach to identifying the true source of your pain.

We begin with:

• A full health history

• A hands-on spinal and postural exam

• Orthopedic and neurological testing

• If needed, imaging such as X-rays or MRIs

The goal is to pinpoint exactly where the nerve is being compressed and why. Many patients are surprised to find the cause isn’t always where the pain is felt.

✅ Chiropractic Treatment for Sciatica

Once diagnosed, chiropractic care focuses on removing the pressure from the nerve and restoring normal spinal function. This can include:

• Chiropractic adjustments to realign vertebrae and reduce nerve irritation

• Stretching and mobility exercises to improve movement patterns

• Posture correction and lifestyle guidance to prevent flare-ups

• Soft tissue work to relieve muscle tension and inflammation

Many patients experience relief within just a few visits — and long-term care helps prevent sciatica from returning.

🌟 You Don’t Have to Live with Sciatic Pain

Sciatica can make everyday life feel frustrating and limiting. But with the right chiropractic care, you can get back to walking, sitting, and sleeping without pain — naturally and without medication.

If you're struggling with leg or lower back pain, don’t wait. Book your chiropractic evaluation today and find out if sciatica is the root cause.