Get Relief From Sciatica With Your Trusted Chiropractor
Sciatica affects 10% to 40% of people at some point in their lives, with 1% to 5% of people developing it each year. Studies have shown that you are more likely to develop symptoms if you’re between the ages 40 and 60 years old, active in sports, or spend long hours driving.
To note, it’s not actually a condition but a symptom. Some people mistake general back pain for sciatica, but the two aren’t the same. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back through the buttocks and down the legs, ending just below the knee. Pain can occur at any point along this path, whether in the lower back, glutes, or leg, depending on where the nerve is being compressed.
Our Denver Chiropractor, Dr. Al Simeone, doesn’t believe in guesswork or quick fixes. He takes a hands-on, results-driven approach, zeroing in on the exact cause of your sciatic pain and creating a plan to fix it at the source.
What Causes Sciatica Leg Pain?
The sciatic nerve originates from the lower spine (L4 to S3 nerve roots), travels through the pelvis, passes beneath the glute muscles, and runs down the back of each leg. When this nerve is irritated or compressed anywhere along its path, it can trigger a range of symptoms, most commonly in the low back, buttock, thigh, calf, or foot.
Dr. Al Simeone starts by identifying the true source of your sciatica. Here are the most common culprits:
Herniated or Bulging Disc
A compression injury or pressure from habitual poor posture can cause the soft discs between the vertebrae to bulge. When this happens, the gel-like nucleus of the disc pushes through the outer layer, potentially pressing directly on one of the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms:
- Sharp or burning pain in the lower back that radiates into the buttocks and down one leg
- Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or lifting
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot
Spinal Subluxations (Misalignments)
When vertebrae in the lumbar spine shift out of their normal position, they compress and irritate nearby nerve roots. This disrupts the normal spacing and movement of the spine, often caused by a traumatic injury.
Symptoms:
- Localized low back pain
- Radiating leg pain, typically on one side
- Stiffness or reduced spinal mobility
- Periodic muscle spasms or cramping
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis is a small muscle deep in the buttock, running close to or around the sciatic nerve. When this muscle becomes tight, inflamed, or spasms, it can compress the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms:
- Deep aching pain in the buttocks
- Pain that travels down the back of the leg, similar to true sciatica
- Discomfort when sitting for extended periods or walking uphill
- Increased tenderness over the piriformis muscle
Spinal Stenosis
When the spinal canal or the nerve passageways on the lower back start to get narrow, often due to age-related degeneration or joint thickening, it leads to compression that irritates the sciatic nerve.
Symptoms:
- Bilateral leg pain or heaviness
- Pain that increases with standing or walking and improves when sitting or leaning forward
- Cramping, weakness, or numbness in the legs
- Difficulty walking long distances
Spondylolisthesis
This occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the one beneath it, narrowing the space for nerve roots and causing irritation or compression, especially at the L5-S1 level.
Symptoms:
- Lower back pain that radiates to one or both legs
- A “tight” or unstable feeling in the lower spine
- Muscle stiffness and hamstring tension
- Pain that worsens with extension-based movements like standing or leaning backward
Muscle Spasms and Soft Tissue Compression
Tight or inflamed muscles in the lower back, glutes, or hips can indirectly compress the sciatic nerve, particularly when compounded by poor posture or movement patterns.
Symptoms:
- Sudden or recurring sharp pain in the lower back or buttocks
- Leg discomfort triggered by movement or pressure
- A pulling sensation in the hamstring or calf
- Restricted range of motion
Rare but Serious Causes
Though less common, certain conditions can mimic or cause sciatica symptoms:
- Spinal tumors may cause persistent pain unrelieved by rest
- Epidural abscess or hematoma often accompanied by fever or recent infection
- Pott’s disease (spinal tuberculosis) may present with chronic back pain, fatigue, and neurological changes
These cases are typically associated with red flags like night pain, sudden weakness, significant weight loss, or bowel/bladder changes.
get your guide now for free after submitting the form.
Chiropractic Care is Effective Treatment for Sciatica
A randomized trial conducted in rehabilitation centers found that chiropractic adjustments significantly outperformed simulated treatments in patients with acute back pain and sciatica due to disc protrusion.
By the end of the treatment period, 55% of patients receiving spinal adjustments were pain-free from radiating leg pain, compared to only 20% in the control group. Those receiving active chiropractic care also had fewer days of moderate to severe pain and lower average pain scores throughout the study, all with no adverse events reported.
Spinal Decompression Therapy Works Best for Sciatica
When considering options for managing sciatic pain, many patients are faced with the choice of expensive treatments, such as TENS therapy.
A study shows that spinal decompression therapy has been proven to provide better outcomes for conditions causing sciatica. For example, in a clinical trial, 86% of patients with ruptured discs achieved good or excellent results with spinal decompression therapy, compared to just 55% of other treatments.
Not only does spinal decompression aim to heal the source of your pain by relieving pressure on the discs and nerves, but it also typically requires fewer sessions than TENS or other short-term treatments.
Soft Tissue Therapy Helps With Sciatica
In addition to spinal adjustments, Dr. Al Simeone may incorporate soft tissue therapy to relieve muscle spasms and reduce inflammation, as well as recommend therapeutic exercises to strengthen your core and improve spinal stability.
This combination of techniques not only provides fast relief from current symptoms but also helps prevent future episodes of sciatic nerve pain.
FAQs about Sciatica
What Are the Common Causes of Sciatica?
Sciatica is often caused by issues such as herniated or bulging discs, spinal misalignments (subluxations). In some cases, muscle spasms and soft tissue compression can also trigger sciatic pain.
What Is Spinal Decompression Therapy for Sciatica?
Spinal decompression therapy is a non-surgical treatment that gently stretches the spine to relieve pressure on the discs and nerve roots. This therapy helps promote healing by creating negative pressure within the affected discs, which can reduce herniation and alleviate sciatic nerve pain.
What Is the Difference Between Sciatica and Back Pain?
Sciatica is a symptom, not a condition, caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. Unlike general back pain, sciatica typically involves pain radiating from the lower back, through the buttocks, and down one leg.
How Does Spinal Misalignment Contribute to Sciatica Pain?
Spinal misalignments (subluxations) can disrupt normal nerve function and put pressure on the sciatic nerve, leading to pain, numbness, and tingling.
Are There Any Non-invasive Treatments for Sciatica?
Yes, chiropractic care, spinal decompression therapy, and soft tissue therapy are some of the best non-invasive treatments available that can effectively relieve sciatic pain.
If you’re tired of dealing with sharp, burning pain down your legs, you don’t have to suffer any longer. Dr. Al Simeone is here to help you get to the root cause of your pain and develop a personalized treatment plan that works for your sciatica.
Don’t wait—take the first step toward a pain-free life today.
Book an Appointment Now with Dr. Al Simeone
Call: 720-573-4910