Understanding Sciatica & How We Treat It at Adjusted Health & Wellness

Sciatica is one of the most common—and frustrating—conditions we see in the clinic. It can start as a mild ache and quickly turn into sharp, shooting pain that travels from your low back down into your leg.

If you’ve ever felt burning, tingling, or numbness running down one side of your body… you may be dealing with sciatica.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a diagnosis itself—it’s a symptom of irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.

This nerve originates in the lower spine (lumbar region) and travels through the hips, glutes, and down each leg.

When something puts pressure on that nerve, you may experience:

• Sharp or shooting pain down the leg

• Burning or tingling sensations

• Numbness or weakness

• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or lifting

What Causes Sciatica?

The most common causes we see include:

• Disc bulges or herniations

• Degenerative disc disease

• Spinal misalignments

• Muscle tension (especially piriformis syndrome)

• Narrowing of the spinal canal (stenosis)

At Adjusted Health & Wellness, we use in-house X-ray imaging when needed to help identify structural issues and guide treatment safely and effectively.

Our Approach to Treating Sciatica

Sciatica isn’t something you just “wait out.”

The key is relieving pressure on the nerve and restoring proper movement in the spine.

We take a non-invasive, root-cause approach using:

1. Mechanical Traction (Spinal Decompression)

Mechanical traction is one of the most effective tools for sciatica.

It works by gently stretching the spine to:

• Reduce pressure on discs

• Create space between vertebrae

• Improve hydration and healing of spinal discs

• Relieve compression on the sciatic nerve

This is especially helpful for patients with:

• Disc bulges or herniations

• Chronic low back tightness

• Radiating leg pain

Many patients report immediate relief in pressure and improved mobility after sessions.

2. Chiropractic Adjustments

While traction helps create space, chiropractic adjustments restore motion and alignment.

Adjustments help:

• Improve joint mobility

• Reduce inflammation

• Restore proper nervous system function

• Prevent recurring nerve irritation

When combined with traction, this creates a powerful synergy:👉 Decompress the spine + restore movement = longer-lasting relief

3. Targeted Therapy & Muscle Work

Sciatica isn’t always just a disc issue—muscles play a huge role.

We often address:

• Tight glutes and piriformis

• Hip mobility restrictions

• Core instability

This helps stabilize your spine and prevent the pain from coming back.

Why Combination Care Works Best

Many patients try one approach at a time—but the best outcomes come from combining therapies.

At Adjusted Health & Wellness, our goal is to:✔ Reduce nerve pressure✔ Restore spinal alignment✔ Improve movement patterns✔ Prevent recurrence

This is why mechanical traction + chiropractic care is one of our most effective protocols for sciatica.

When Should You Seek Care?

If you’re experiencing:

• Pain traveling down your leg

• Numbness or tingling

• Difficulty standing up straight

• Pain that isn’t improving

…it’s time to get evaluated.

The earlier we address sciatica, the easier it is to correct—and the less likely it becomes a chronic issue.

Final Thoughts

Sciatica can feel debilitating, but it’s highly treatable when you address the root cause.

With the right combination of spinal decompression, chiropractic care, and targeted therapy, most patients can get back to moving—and living—pain free.

Ready to Find Relief?

At Adjusted Health & Wellness, we specialize in non-surgical solutions for back pain and sciatica.