What causes sciatica?
Sciatica is irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, most often from a disc issue in the low back, a tight or overactive piriformis in the glute, or stiff, deconditioned hips. Long hours of sitting and weak core stabilizers are common culprits in desk-bound professionals.
What to expect from care
Your first visit is an assessment, not a rushed adjustment, we work out whether the pain is coming from your low back, your hip, or both. From there you get hands-on work to calm the irritated nerve and tissue, gentle joint care to restore motion, and a short set of exercises to take pressure off the nerve at home. Most people start noticing change within the first few visits.
How we help
We calm the irritated nerve and surrounding tissue, then restore the hip and low-back mechanics driving the compression, so the relief actually holds.
Treatments we use for sciatica
Depending on what's driving it, your plan may include:
Frequently asked questions
Does a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes. For most cases, chiropractic care helps relieve sciatica by reducing pressure on the irritated nerve, easing muscle tension around the low back and hip, and restoring movement. At Recovery Room Chiropractic we pair hands-on soft-tissue work with corrective exercise so the relief lasts.
How long does it take for sciatica to improve?
It varies with the cause and how long it's been going on, but many people notice meaningful relief within a few weeks of consistent care. Lasting results come from addressing the hip and low-back mechanics behind it, not just calming the flare.
What does sciatica feel like?
Usually a sharp, shooting, or burning pain that travels from the low back or glute down one leg, sometimes with numbness or 'pins and needles.' It's often worse after long sitting and may ease when you move.
Should I rest or stay active with sciatica?
Gentle movement usually beats bed rest. Prolonged sitting and total inactivity tend to make sciatica worse; we'll guide you on which movements help and which to ease off while the nerve calms down.
Care provided one-on-one by Dr. Dominick Hernandez, D.C. in Woodland Hills, CA.