Sciatica Treatment
We treat sciatica for Hillsdale patients whose pain runs from the low back through the buttock and down the leg.
What We Mean by Sciatica
Sciatica is pain, and sometimes numbness or weakness, that follows the sciatic nerve. People usually feel it leave the low back or buttock and run down the back or side of the thigh, sometimes past the knee into the foot. Sitting, driving, and bending are the usual triggers.
The name gets used for more than one problem. A bulging or herniated disc is a common cause. So are irritated joints and, less often, a muscle in the hip pressing on the nerve. Treating it well means knowing which one you have.
Who This Is For
- Sharp, burning, or electric pain from the low back into the leg
- Buttock pain that travels when you sit or drive
- Numbness or tingling in the thigh, calf, or foot
- Leg pain that came on with a lift, a twist, or no clear injury
- Back and leg pain that rest and over-the-counter medicine have not settled
- A disc problem and a wish to try care that is not surgery
How We Treat Sciatica
The first visit is a consultation and exam, not a one-size adjustment. We check movement, nerve tension, and strength. X-rays are taken in the office when they will change the plan.
- Chiropractic adjustments restore motion in the lumbar joints and reduce the mechanical irritation around the nerve. This is the base of care for most sciatica patients.
- Spinal decompression is added when a disc is bulging or herniated and you are a candidate. The table creates a gentle negative pressure in the disc. Sessions are usually 15 to 30 minutes.
- Red light therapy is used alongside those visits when muscle spasm and inflammation are part of the picture.
New weakness, trouble controlling the bladder or bowel, or pain after a major trauma should be treated as urgent. Call us and, if those symptoms are happening now, seek emergency care.
If you want the longer explanation of causes, read Sciatica Relief in Hillsdale, MI. If you want to be examined, start here.
Seen in Hillsdale Since 1983
We see patients from Hillsdale, Jonesville, Reading, Camden, and Pittsford. We are at 1384 Vera Dr. There is no long-term contract on the first visit. You get an honest read on whether adjustments, decompression, or a different next step makes sense.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sciatica just a tight muscle?
Sometimes the piriformis and other hip muscles irritate the nerve. Often a lumbar disc is involved. The exam is how we tell those apart before we treat.
Do I have to have surgery for a herniated disc?
No. Many people with disc-related leg pain are treated in the office with adjustments and spinal decompression. Some cases do need a surgical opinion, and we will say so if we see that.
How is this page different from your sciatica article?
The article explains causes in more detail. This page is about getting evaluated and treated at the Hillsdale office.
Leg Pain Is a Reason to Be Seen, Not a Reason to Wait
If pain, numbness, or weakness is traveling down the leg, call us or request a visit. We will examine you and tell you whether this plan fits.