Sciatica & Radiculopathy
What it feels like
- Shooting, burning, or electric pain down the back of the leg
- Numbness or tingling in the foot or toes
- Pain worse with sitting, coughing, or sneezing
- Usually one side
Common causes
- Disc bulge or herniation pressing on a nerve root
- Narrowing around the nerve (stenosis), more common after 50
- Piriformis or deep hip muscle tension
- SI joint dysfunction mimicking sciatica
What we check at your first visit
- Health history and where the pain, numbness, or tingling travels
- Regional exam of the low back, hips, and pelvis, including orthopedic and neurological testing to find the source
- Movement testing to see which positions ease your leg pain
How we treat it at Revival Chiropractic
- Gentle adjustments matched to the irritated level
- Flexion-distraction or extension-bias work based on your testing
- Sciatic nerve flossing and piriformis release
- Sitting, sleeping, and activity changes during the flare
What to expect
- Pain often moves from the leg back toward the spine first (a good sign)
- Many patients see real improvement in 4 to 8 weeks; disc cases can take longer
When we refer out
- Bladder or bowel changes, saddle numbness (emergency)
- Weakness that is progressing, foot drop
- Severe pain not improving after 4 to 6 weeks (MRI or pain management consult)
FAQs
Is sciatica a diagnosis or a symptom? A symptom. Sciatica describes pain traveling along the sciatic nerve. The cause could be a disc, narrowing around the nerve, an irritated SI joint, or tight hip muscles. Finding which one matters because the treatment differs.
Should I stretch my hamstrings if I have sciatica? Be careful. Hard hamstring stretching often pulls on an irritated nerve and makes it worse. Gentle nerve glides and positions that ease the leg pain usually work better. We'll show you which ones fit your case.
How long does sciatica last? Many cases improve a lot within 4 to 8 weeks, though some take a few months. A good sign is pain moving out of the leg and back toward the low back, even if the back is sore for a while.
Will I need surgery? Most people don't. Surgery is mainly for progressive weakness, bladder or bowel changes, or severe pain that doesn't improve with conservative care. If you reach that point, we'll refer you to a spine specialist.
Sources: Lancet Low Back Pain Series (2018); NICE guideline NG59, low back pain and sciatica in over 16s
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or before starting any new healthcare regimen. Never delay seeking treatment or disregard medical advice based on information provided here. If you are experiencing a medical emergency, call 911 immediately.