Sciatica can make sitting, walking and sleeping difficult.
Sciatica describes pain or nerve symptoms that travel from the low back or buttock into the leg. It may be related to disc irritation, nerve compression, inflammation or other mechanical factors. At The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT in Newcastle, Oklahoma, we start by figuring out what may be irritating the nerve before recommending care.
Start with a clear first step.
Consultation, careful examination, any needed X-rays, one complete chiropractic treatment and recommendations to get you well.
Sciatica is a symptom pattern, not a single diagnosis.
The goal is not simply to chase leg pain. It is to understand where the nerve irritation may be coming from and what is placing stress on the low back, pelvis and surrounding tissues.
Some people feel sharp or burning pain that travels from the low back or buttock into the thigh, calf or foot. Others notice tingling, numbness or weakness. Symptoms may worsen with sitting, bending, coughing, lifting or certain movements.
A careful exam can help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and whether spinal decompression may be a useful option when a disc or nerve problem is involved.
What may be behind your sciatica?
These are common possibilities, not a diagnosis. Your exam helps narrow down what is most relevant to your symptoms.
Joint irritation
A lumbar disc can irritate or compress a nearby nerve root, creating pain or neurologic symptoms that travel into the leg.
Muscle tension
Inflammation around a nerve root can make the nerve more sensitive and contribute to pain, tingling or numbness.
Disc involvement
Spinal joint restriction or poor movement mechanics can increase stress around the low back and pelvis and may contribute to irritation.
Nerve irritation
Narrowing around the spaces where nerves travel can sometimes contribute to sciatica-like symptoms, particularly in older adults.
Movement limitations
Tight or overworked muscles around the low back and hips may increase discomfort and change how a person moves when a nerve is already irritated.
Work + lifestyle stress
Long sitting, repetitive lifting, bending, deconditioning and repeated strain can all influence how the low back and nerve tissues respond.
What kind of care may help?
Treatment depends on what your exam shows. We keep the plan focused on what makes sense for your presentation rather than automatically putting everyone through the same protocol.
Some sciatica symptoms need prompt medical evaluation.
Chiropractic care is not appropriate for every situation. Seek urgent medical attention if sciatica is accompanied by serious or rapidly changing neurologic symptoms.
- New loss of bowel or bladder control
- Numbness in the groin or saddle area
- Progressive weakness in the leg or foot
- Severe symptoms after major trauma
- Back or leg pain with fever or unexplained illness
- Rapidly worsening numbness, weakness or loss of coordination
Sciatica care in Newcastle, Oklahoma.
The Reserve Chiropractic & HBOT serves patients from Newcastle, Blanchard, Tuttle and surrounding communities who are looking for conservative, personalized care for sciatica, disc-related low back pain, nerve irritation and radiating leg symptoms.
2908 NW 32nd Street Suite B
Newcastle, OK 73065
Call or text: (405) 928-9791
A few common questions.
Chiropractic care may help some people with sciatica, especially when mechanical low-back or pelvic factors are contributing. The first step is determining what may be irritating the nerve and whether your symptoms are appropriate for chiropractic care.
Spinal decompression may be considered when sciatica appears to be related to a lumbar disc problem or irritated nerve. It is not appropriate for every cause of sciatica, so an exam and screening are important.
Not everyone with sciatica needs imaging. Dr. Conner can determine whether X-rays, advanced imaging or referral may be appropriate based on your history, exam and neurologic findings.
Sciatica follows the path of an irritated nerve. When a nerve root in the low back is affected, pain, tingling or numbness can travel through the buttock and down part of the leg rather than staying only in the back.
You do not have to guess what kind of care you need.
Start with an evaluation. We can help you understand what may be irritating the nerve and whether chiropractic care, spinal decompression or another next step makes sense.