Sciatica is one of the most disabling forms of back pain — the sharp, burning, or electric pain that radiates from your lower back down through the buttock and into the leg. At its worst, it can make sitting, standing, or walking unbearable. At Vitality Chiropractic in San Jose, we have helped hundreds of patients resolve sciatica without drugs or surgery.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica describes irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. It runs from the lower lumbar spine through the piriformis muscle, down the back of the leg, and into the foot. Compression anywhere along this path can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness from the low back to the toes.
Common Causes
Lumbar disc herniation — the most common cause; disc material pressing directly on the nerve root
Vertebral subluxation — misaligned lower lumbar vertebrae narrowing the nerve canal
Piriformis syndrome — the sciatic nerve trapped beneath the piriformis muscle
Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal compressing the nerve
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction — SI joint inflammation irritating adjacent nerve roots
How We Treat Sciatica
Our first step is identifying exactly where the nerve is being compressed and why. Specific chiropractic adjustments decompress the affected nerve roots, restore normal motion to the lumbar joints, and allow the body’s natural anti-inflammatory processes to do their work. For cases involving significant disc involvement, we may also recommend
non-surgical spinal decompression.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does sciatica take to resolve?
Mild to moderate cases often improve significantly within 4–8 visits. Chronic or severe cases may take longer, particularly if disc damage is involved.
Is surgery ever necessary for sciatica?
The vast majority of sciatica cases resolve without surgery. Conservative care, including chiropractic, is the recommended first-line approach.
