Sciatica. Where is the nerve being pinched? That decides everything.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis: pain, numbness or tingling along the sciatic nerve, from the low back or buttock down the back of the leg. Three different problems cause it, and they're treated differently. The exam tells us which one you have.

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Your first visit
  • History and hands-on exam first
  • X-ray on site, only when the exam calls for it
  • A plain-language explanation and a plan, or a referral

What to expect →

Sound familiar?

What sciatica usually feels like.

  • Pain that runs from the buttock down the back of the thigh, sometimes to the calf or foot
  • Burning, tingling or 'pins and needles' in one leg
  • Numbness in part of the foot or toes
  • Worse with sitting, coughing or sneezing
  • Weakness lifting the foot or pushing off
  • Usually one side only

What's usually going on

The mechanics behind it.

The sciatic nerve is formed by five nerve roots leaving the lower spine. It runs under (sometimes through) the piriformis muscle in the buttock and down the leg. It can be irritated at the spine by a disc or a narrowed opening, or in the buttock by the muscle. Where it's irritated determines what you feel and what will help.

A disc case needs decompression and must avoid loading and twisting. A piriformis case needs the muscle released and the hip mechanics fixed. Treat a disc case like a muscle case and you make it worse. That's why we don't start treatment until the exam has localized it.

How we treat it at Borealis

Find the cause. Treat it. Keep it from coming back.

1

Find the cause

Nerve tension tests, reflexes, strength and sensation in the leg, hip and sacroiliac assessment, and lumbar X-rays on site when indicated. We tell you which of the three patterns you have.

2

Treat it

For disc-driven sciatica: flexion-distraction, a gentle pumping traction that opens the disc space without twisting. For piriformis: targeted soft-tissue release, hip adjusting and stretching. Cold laser reduces nerve and tissue inflammation in both.

3

Keep it from coming back

Sitting breaks, a specific nerve-glide or stretch for your pattern, and core and glute work once the pain allows. If your feet or gait are feeding the hip, orthotics may be part of the plan.

Services involved ChiropracticMLS cold laserPhysiotherapy & rehabMassage therapyFoot Levelers orthotics

Questions

What people ask about sciatica.

Don't see yours? Call and ask. The front desk will get you an answer or put you through to a doctor.

How long does sciatica take to resolve?
Piriformis cases often improve within a few weeks. Disc cases take longer, typically several weeks to a few months, because the disc itself has to settle. Your doctor gives you a timeline after the exam and re-evaluates at set points.
Should I stretch it?
Depends on the cause. Piriformis stretching helps piriformis sciatica and can aggravate disc sciatica. Don't guess; get examined first.
Will I need surgery?
Most sciatica resolves without it. Surgery is considered when there's progressive weakness or when several months of appropriate conservative care hasn't helped. If we see signs that you're headed that way, we refer promptly.
Is it sciatica or something else?
Hip arthritis, hamstring strain and sacroiliac pain all get called sciatica. True sciatica follows the nerve's path and usually has a neurological component: tingling, numbness or weakness. The exam distinguishes them.

Describe it. We'll figure out the rest.

Call and talk to Dawn at the front desk, or walk in Monday through Thursday. You'll leave your first visit knowing what's going on.

Call (715) 748-4433 Get directions