What Is Sciatica?

If you are asking what is sciatica, it refers to pain or other symptoms caused by irritation or compression involving the sciatic nerve or the spinal nerve roots that form it. Symptoms often begin in the lower back or buttock and travel into one leg.

At Everybody’s Chiropractic Center in Upper Darby, PA, Dr. Dan Klein evaluates patients with lower back pain, radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, and other sciatic-type symptoms to determine what may be contributing to the problem.

For information about our local treatment approach, visit our sciatica treatment options in Upper Darby.

What Is Sciatica and Where Does the Pain Travel?

Sciatica describes symptoms involving the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body. It begins in the lower spine and travels through the buttocks and down the legs.

According to MedlinePlus, sciatica may cause pain, weakness, numbness, or tingling that travels from the lower back into the leg.

Most people experience symptoms on one side of the body, although the location and intensity can vary.

Common Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica symptoms may include:

  • Lower back pain
  • Buttock or hip pain
  • Shooting pain down the leg
  • Burning discomfort
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Weakness in the leg or foot
  • Pain that becomes worse with prolonged sitting
  • Difficulty standing or walking comfortably

Some patients experience mild symptoms that resolve relatively quickly. However, others may experience recurring or persistent episodes.

What Causes Sciatica?

Several different conditions can irritate the sciatic nerve or nearby nerve roots.

Common causes may include:

  • Herniated or bulging discs
  • Spinal stenosis
  • Degenerative disc changes
  • Arthritis affecting the lower spine
  • Injuries involving the lower back
  • Muscle irritation around the hip or buttock
  • Repetitive lifting or bending
  • Prolonged sitting

Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, an examination is often necessary to determine the likely source.

Herniated Discs and Sciatica

A herniated or bulging disc is one common cause of sciatic-type symptoms.

When disc material irritates a nearby spinal nerve root, symptoms may travel from the lower back into the buttock and leg.

Depending on examination findings, some patients with disc-related symptoms may also be candidates for spinal decompression.

Can Muscle Problems Cause Sciatic-Type Pain?

Not all pain traveling into the buttock or leg comes from a spinal disc.

For example, irritation involving muscles around the hip or buttock may sometimes create symptoms that resemble sciatica.

Therefore, identifying where the symptoms originate is important before deciding on treatment.

How Is Sciatica Evaluated?

An evaluation typically begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, activities, and how the pain began.

The examination may include assessment of:

  • Spinal movement
  • Hip mobility
  • Muscle strength
  • Reflexes
  • Sensation
  • Walking and movement patterns
  • Areas of tenderness
  • Positions that reproduce symptoms

Additional testing or imaging may sometimes be appropriate depending on the findings.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Sciatica?

Some patients with sciatica seek conservative chiropractic care before considering more invasive treatment.

Depending on the cause and examination findings, care may include:

  • Chiropractic adjustments
  • Joint mobilization
  • Soft-tissue techniques
  • Corrective exercises
  • Stretching and mobility work
  • Postural recommendations
  • Ergonomic changes
  • Rehabilitation

The appropriate approach depends on the underlying condition and the patient’s individual needs.

SoftWave Therapy and Sciatic-Type Pain

SoftWave Therapy may be considered in selected cases when irritated muscles or other soft tissues around the lower back, hip, or buttock contribute to discomfort.

SoftWave uses acoustic-wave technology and may be incorporated into a broader conservative treatment plan when appropriate.

However, SoftWave Therapy does not treat every cause of sciatica.

Can Sciatica Go Away on Its Own?

Some episodes of sciatica improve over time, particularly when nerve irritation is mild.

However, symptoms that repeatedly return or continue for several weeks may warrant evaluation.

Factors such as disc problems, spinal stenosis, repetitive physical stress, reduced mobility, or poor movement habits may contribute to recurring symptoms.

When Should Sciatica Be Evaluated?

Consider having your condition evaluated if:

  • Symptoms persist for several weeks
  • Pain repeatedly returns
  • Numbness or tingling continues
  • Pain travels below the knee
  • Walking becomes difficult
  • Pain interferes with sleep or work
  • You notice weakness in the leg or foot

Earlier evaluation may help determine what is causing the symptoms.

When Sciatica Requires Prompt Medical Attention

Seek prompt medical evaluation if symptoms occur with:

  • Progressive leg weakness
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control
  • Numbness involving the groin or saddle region
  • Severe symptoms after significant trauma
  • Fever associated with severe back pain
  • Rapidly worsening neurological symptoms

These symptoms require appropriate medical assessment.

What Is Sciatica Treatment Near Upper Darby?

Treatment depends on the underlying cause.

Depending on examination findings, conservative care may include chiropractic treatment, rehabilitation exercises, spinal decompression, SoftWave Therapy, activity modification, or other non-surgical approaches.

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center is located at 115 E Township Line Road, Upper Darby, PA 19082.

We regularly see patients from Upper Darby, Havertown, Drexel Hill, Springfield, Broomall, Newtown Square, Lansdowne, Clifton Heights, Yeadon, Philadelphia, and surrounding Delaware County communities.

Schedule a Sciatica Evaluation

If lower back or radiating leg symptoms are interfering with walking, work, sleep, exercise, or normal daily activity, schedule an evaluation at Everybody’s Chiropractic Center.

Everybody’s Chiropractic Center
115 E Township Line Road
Upper Darby, PA 19082
610-789-1800

Find Everybody’s Chiropractic Center on Google Maps

Visit Everybody’s Chiropractic Center on Google Maps for directions to our Upper Darby office.