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Sciatica Causes and Treatment

Are you suffering from leg pain that radiates from your lower back down to your foot? You might be dealing with sciatica — a painful condition that affects millions of people each year. At our clinic, we offer non-surgical, drug-free solutions for sciatica and related nerve issues, including chiropractic care, spinal decompression and shockwave therapy.

What is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain that stems from the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. This nerve forms from multiple nerve roots in the lower back and sacrum (tailbone) and travels down through the buttocks, into the leg, and just below the knee.

When the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, it can cause symptoms such as:

  • Radiating leg pain
  • Lower back pain and discomfort
  • Leg numbness or tingling (may go into the foot)
  • Muscle weakness
  • Burning or sharp pain sensations

In more severe cases, sciatica may lead to loss of bladder or bowel control — a medical emergency that requires immediate attention.

Common Causes of Sciatica

There are a variety of reasons why someone might experience sciatica. Some of the most common causes include:

  • Disc bulge or disc herniation
  • L3-L4, L4-L5 and L5-S1 disc injury
  • Piriformis syndrome
  • Trigger points or chronic muscle spasm
  • Degenerative disc disease
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Spondylolisthesis
  • Pregnancy-related back issues or posture changes
  • Back injuries or repetitive strain

Sciatica symptoms can worsen over time, impacting your mobility, sleep, and quality of life. Early treatment and intervention is recommended.

Best Sciatica Treatment Without Surgery or Medication

Our clinic offers personalized sciatica treatment options that address the root cause of pain. Whether your condition stems from a misaligned vertebrae, disc bulge or disc herniation, muscle imbalance, or nerve entrapment, we can utilize a combination of advanced therapies to help you heal naturally.

Chiropractic Care

Gentle spinal adjustments help restore proper alignment, reduce nerve pressure, and improve joint function. Chiropractic care is often the foundation of effective sciatica relief. If any vertebrae shift out of their proper alignment this can result in pain, symptoms and pressure on nerves and chiropractic adjustments are effective at correcting this.

Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression

If sciatica is coming from a disc bulge or disc herniation where the disc material is bulging and placing pressure on the nerve root then non surgical spinal decompression can be an effective therapy. We use a special table to gently stretch the spine in a longitudinal direction to comfortably take pressure off the discs and nerves. This therapy creates a negative pressure in the disc bulge allowing bulging disc material to work its way back to the central disc space where its supposed to be. Non-surgical spinal decompression can effectively reduce nerve pain and allow discs to heal in these cases.

Shockwave Therapy

This non-invasive treatment effectively breaks up scar tissue, relaxes tight muscles, and improves circulation in areas where the sciatic nerve may be irritated or entrapped. Shockwave therapy works by generating acoustic sound waves that penetrate the tissues to generate the healing response. In cases of old injuries that never fully healed in the lower back, buttock or legs, shockwave therapy can stimulate the healing necessary to get pain relief and improvement.

How Long Does Healing Take?

The recovery time for sciatica varies based on the underlying condition. Some patients feel relief in a short amount of time while others may require more time. A custom treatment plan, home exercises, and lifestyle changes can significantly accelerate recovery and prevent recurrence.

Patient Success Story

"I had pain that ran down my leg from my piriformis and could barely walk. Dr. Mattila was the first chiropractor who used therapy to release the muscle before adjusting me — it made all the difference. He also gave me exercises to strengthen weak areas and improve posture. I felt supported, informed, and pain-free for the first time in years. The Rock Tape and soft tissue work were amazing. Highly recommend!"

Serving Orem, Lindon, Vineyard, Pleasant Grove, Alpine, Cedar Hills and Utah County

If you’re looking for a gentle chiropractor to help with sciatica, we’re here to help. Don’t wait until symptoms worsen — early intervention is key to long-term relief.

Schedule your New Patient Appointment today by clicking here, or call us directly at 801-701-8100.

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