You bend down to tie your shoe and a jolt shoots from your lower back all the way to your calf. Or maybe it's a deep ache in your buttock that gets worse every time you sit in the car. That's sciatica, and if you're dealing with it right now, you know how much it can take over your day.
The good news is that most people with sciatica get better without surgery. The key is figuring out what's irritating the nerve in the first place.
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Sciatica usually feels like pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down the back of one leg. Some people describe it as burning or electric. Others feel tingling, numbness or a heavy, weak leg. It's often worse when you sit, cough, sneeze or bend forward, and it usually affects just one side.
If your pain stays in your lower back and doesn't travel down the leg, it may be a different problem. Our page on lower back pain covers those causes.
What Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica happens when something presses on or irritates the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots in your lower spine. The most common culprits are:
- A bulging or herniated disc in the lower back
- Stiff or misaligned joints in the lower spine or pelvis
- A tight piriformis muscle deep in the buttock
- Narrowing of the spinal canal, called spinal stenosis, which is more common after 50
Everyday habits often light the fuse. Long days at a desk, a long commute on Interstate 20, lifting with your back instead of your legs and sleeping in an awkward position all add up. If the pain sits more in your hip and thigh, take a look at our hip and leg pain page too.
How Does a Chiropractor Treat Sciatica in Arlington, TX?
A chiropractor treats sciatica by taking pressure off the nerve and fixing the mechanics that caused it. At True Works Chiropractic, Dr. Moss starts by finding out exactly where the problem is coming from. That means a hands on exam, a few simple nerve and movement tests, and digital X rays if he needs a closer look.
From there, your plan is built around what he finds. For a stiff lower back or pelvis, gentle manual adjusting helps those joints move freely again. For a disc problem, spinal decompression can take pressure off the disc and nerve. If a tight piriformis or hamstring is part of the story, myofascial release and trigger point therapy help those muscles let go.
You'll also leave with a few stretching and strengthening exercises to do at home. They don't take long, and they make a real difference in keeping sciatica from coming back.
Does Spinal Decompression Help Sciatica?
Spinal decompression can help sciatica that's caused by a bulging or herniated disc. It gently stretches the spine, which lowers pressure inside the disc and gives the irritated nerve some breathing room. Many people try it before considering injections or surgery. If you're curious how it works, we explain it in plain terms in What Is Spinal Decompression?
How Long Does Sciatica Take to Go Away?
Mild sciatica often starts to ease within a few weeks of consistent care. Sciatica from a disc problem, or pain you've had for months, usually takes longer. Your age, your job and how active you are all play a part. Dr. Moss will give you a realistic timeline at your first visit so you know what to expect.
Do You Need Surgery for Sciatica?
Most people don't. Conservative care like chiropractic, decompression and exercise is usually the first step, and it works for many patients. Surgery is generally saved for severe nerve compression, weakness that keeps getting worse, or pain that doesn't improve with other care. If your exam shows signs that need a medical specialist, Dr. Moss will tell you and point you in the right direction.
When Should You Go to the ER for Sciatica?
Go to the emergency room right away if leg pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or sudden weakness in both legs. The same goes for severe pain after a bad fall or accident. These symptoms are rare, but they need immediate medical attention.
What Can You Do at Home for Sciatica Pain?
A few small changes can take the edge off while you heal:
- Get up and walk for a few minutes every half hour or so
- Use ice for the first couple of days of a flare up, then switch to gentle heat
- Keep moving with short walks instead of resting in bed
- Sleep on your side with a pillow between your knees
- Skip heavy lifting and twisting until you've been checked
We share a few more ideas in our home routine for recovery.
FAQ Common questions
Sciatica FAQs
Yes, for many people. When sciatica comes from a stiff joint, a disc problem or a tight muscle, chiropractic care can ease the pressure on the nerve and help the pain settle down.
Most people feel little or no discomfort. Dr. Moss adjusts his approach to how sore you are that day, and he'll always explain what he's doing first.
It can. Sitting puts extra pressure on the discs in your lower back and tightens your hip muscles, both of which can irritate the nerve.
Your first visit is covered by our $99 new patient special, which includes the exam, consultation and digital X rays if needed. You can see payment options for ongoing care.
Get Help for Sciatica in Arlington, TX
You don't have to keep putting up with leg pain or planning your day around it. Dr. Michael Moss, D.C. has spent more than 10 years helping Arlington patients find what's behind their pain, and you can read what they say on our testimonials page.
Call (817) 718 1052 or request an appointment. We're at 5801 W Interstate 20, Suite 350, Arlington, TX 76017, open Monday through Thursday, 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.