What sciatica actually is
Sciatica is the pain, tingling, or numbness that shows up when the sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in the body, running from the low back down each leg — gets irritated or compressed.
It's most often triggered upstream: a disc pressing on a nerve root, a tight piriformis muscle, or a joint that's lost its normal motion. The leg pain is where you feel it, but chasing the leg rarely fixes it — the compression has to be addressed at the low back or hip where it's actually happening.
Signs you might be dealing with it
- Sharp or burning pain that radiates from the low back or glute down one leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or bending forward
- Weakness in the leg, or trouble standing up on your toes or heel
- Low back pain that's started traveling further down the leg than before
Relieve, rehab, strengthen — applied to sciatica
Assess
We pinpoint exactly where the nerve is being irritated — disc, piriformis, or joint — instead of treating the leg pain in isolation.
Relieve
Adjustments and soft tissue work to reduce the mechanical pressure on the nerve and calm the inflammation around it.
Rebuild
Rehab and strength work to support the disc and joint long-term, so the same compression doesn't build back up.
What relief actually looks like
"When I was diagnosed with sciatica at age 50 my doctor sent me to see these incredible sports medicine experts so they could tailor my rehab and exercise to my very active lifestyle. I didn't have a sports injury but they helped me heal & rehab through prescribed activity (so I didn't need to go to a PT) and I got stronger than ever while healing! They also taught me how to prevent reoccurrence. Being in my late 50s now, I've contended with various issues — radiculitis, broken foot, knee strain, back pain — and I always feel relief even after one visit. The primary technique they use (Active Release) feels amazing! They really listen and explain everything and it's all very easy to understand. Dr Mae Li is brilliant, funny, and extremely effective. (I'm always a little sad when she says I don't need to come back.) I'd recommend this woman to anyone in a heartbeat."
Sciatica, answered
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What's the difference between sciatica and regular low back pain?
Sciatica specifically involves the sciatic nerve — pain, tingling, or numbness that radiates from the low back or glute down the leg, often past the knee. Regular low back pain usually stays local to the back. The distinction matters because sciatica points to nerve irritation that needs to be addressed at its source.
Can chiropractic care actually help sciatica?
For sciatica caused by mechanical issues — a disc, a tight piriformis, a misaligned joint putting pressure on the nerve — yes. Adjustments and soft tissue work reduce the compression, and rehab addresses the movement pattern that let it happen.
When should I see a doctor instead of, or before, a chiropractor for sciatica?
If you have significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel control, or numbness in the groin area, seek emergency medical care immediately — those are signs of a serious condition. For typical sciatica symptoms, a chiropractic assessment is a reasonable first step, and we'll refer you out if anything looks like it needs imaging or a specialist.
How long does sciatica take to resolve?
It depends on the cause and how long it's been going on, but many people notice the leg symptoms easing within the first few visits as the nerve compression reduces. Full resolution — and keeping it from coming back — usually takes longer, through rehab and strength work.