Brief overview
Sciatica
Sciatica is a description of symptoms — commonly pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that follows the sciatic nerve — rather than a diagnosis on its own. The underlying cause guides the plan.
Sciatica describes pain or neurological symptoms that travel along the path of the sciatic nerve. Because similar symptoms may have different causes, proper evaluation is essential before recommending care.
Common causes
What may be driving it.
- Lumbar disc involvement compressing a nerve root
- Facet or sacroiliac joint irritation with referred pain
- Piriformis-related nerve irritation
- Postural or repetitive-load contributors
How chiropractic evaluation may help
A careful assessment first. Then a plan.
Every plan is individualized. A thorough consultation and evaluation is the foundation of appropriate care — or a referral, if that is the right next step.
Evaluation
- — Neurological testing of the sciatic distribution
- — Orthopedic and movement assessment
- — Review of any prior imaging
- — Referral for advanced imaging when it will change the plan
How care may help
- — Individualized adjustments and mobilization
- — Soft-tissue and neural mobility work
- — Home protocol tailored to the aggravating positions
- — Coordination with medical or specialist care when appropriate
Learn more about this
Understand it in plain language.
Back, Neck & Spine
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms — not a single diagnosis. Understanding the difference guides better decisions.
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What Is a Disc Injury?
How spinal discs work, how they can be affected, and why many disc-related presentations respond well to conservative care.
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What Is Spinal Decompression?
An overview of spinal decompression, who it may be appropriate for, and where evaluation fits in.
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Returning to Exercise After an Injury
Graded return principles: how to rebuild capacity without repeatedly flaring symptoms.
4 min readRead articleReady to understand your sciatica?
A thoughtful evaluation is the fastest path to clarity — and to the right next step for your body.
Go deeper
The research, and the practical steps.
Knowledge Center article
Sciatica Research Review
Sciatica describes leg pain following the path of the sciatic nerve, often caused by nerve-root irritation in the lower back. Conservative care is generally the recommended starting point.
Read the evidence reviewPatient guide
Posture & Movement Guide
Simple positional and movement habits that support the spine through a normal day.
Open the guideContinue exploring
Related conditions.
Related condition
Back PainBack pain can arise from many factors, including joint irritation, muscle strain, disc involvement, posture, inactivity, repetitive stress, injury, or underlying medical conditions. Learn how individualized evaluation can help identify the likely contributors and guide appropriate care or referral.
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Neck PainNeck discomfort may be associated with posture, prolonged screen use, joint restriction, muscle tension, injury, repetitive activity, or other conditions. A careful assessment helps determine which movement, neurological, or musculoskeletal factors may be involved.
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Disc InjuriesSpinal discs can be affected by degeneration, repetitive strain, trauma, loading, and other factors. Symptoms may include local pain, stiffness, radiating discomfort, numbness, tingling, or weakness. Progressive neurological symptoms require timely medical evaluation.
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