When Back Pain Turns Into Leg Pain
Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve — which runs from the lower back through the hip and down the leg — becomes irritated or compressed. Instead of pain staying in your lower back, it radiates down through the buttock and leg, sometimes reaching all the way to the foot, often with numbness or a tingling, "pins and needles" sensation.
Common Causes We See
- Disc bulges or herniations pressing on the nerve root
- Piriformis muscle tightness irritating the sciatic nerve
- Joint restrictions in the lower spine and pelvis
- Prolonged sitting, especially with poor posture or a wallet in a back pocket
- Pregnancy-related pelvic changes putting pressure on the nerve
How We Approach Sciatica Treatment
Treatment focuses on reducing the pressure or irritation causing the nerve symptoms, using spinal adjustments, targeted mobilization, and stretches for the muscles that commonly contribute to sciatic nerve compression. We also look at daily habits — sitting posture, sleep position, and activity level — since those often play a bigger role than people expect.
When Sciatica Needs More Than Chiropractic Care
Most sciatica responds well to conservative care, but if you have progressive weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness that keeps worsening, that warrants prompt medical evaluation, and we'll tell you plainly if that's what your symptoms suggest.