Personalized Care for Sciatica and Radiating Leg Pain
Sciatica can make everyday activities such as sitting, standing, walking, driving, exercising or sleeping uncomfortable. The term sciatica generally describes pain or other symptoms that follow the path of the sciatic nerve, often beginning in the lower back or buttock and traveling into the hip, thigh, calf or foot. At Total Health Chiropractic in Coralville, IA, we evaluate patients with sciatica symptoms to better understand what may be irritating the nerve and how the condition is affecting movement and daily function. Dr. Dillon Hammes, Dr. Andrew Donnelly and our team develop individualized care plans based on each patient’s symptoms, examination findings and health history.
What Does Sciatica Feel Like?
Sciatica does not feel exactly the same for everyone. Some people experience a sharp or burning sensation traveling down one leg, while others describe aching, tingling, numbness or a pins-and-needles feeling. Symptoms may remain primarily in the buttock and upper leg or extend farther down the leg toward the calf or foot. Sitting for long periods, bending, lifting, certain movements or prolonged standing may aggravate symptoms in some patients. Because several conditions can cause leg pain or numbness, an evaluation can help determine whether the symptoms are consistent with sciatic nerve irritation and what may be contributing to it.
What Can Cause Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots that originate in the lower spine. Irritation or pressure involving these nerve roots can produce symptoms along the nerve’s pathway. Sciatica may be associated with a herniated or bulging disc, degenerative disc changes, joint dysfunction, inflammation or other mechanical problems affecting the lower back and pelvis. Symptoms can also develop following an injury or after repeated movements that place additional stress on the lumbar spine. Rather than treating every case of sciatica the same way, Total Health Chiropractic evaluates the possible source of the nerve irritation before recommending care.
Evaluating Sciatica at Total Health Chiropractic
A sciatica evaluation begins with understanding where your symptoms are occurring, how long you have had them and what activities make them better or worse. Your examination may include an assessment of spinal and joint movement, posture, mobility and relevant orthopedic or neurological findings. Total Health Chiropractic also has digital X-rays available in-house when imaging is clinically appropriate. X-rays are not necessary for every patient, and your doctor will determine whether imaging could provide useful information based on your individual presentation.
Chiropractic Care for Sciatica
When spinal or joint dysfunction contributes to a patient’s symptoms, chiropractic treatment may be incorporated into an individualized care plan. The goal is to address relevant musculoskeletal factors, improve movement and help reduce mechanical stress on affected areas. Learn more about chiropractic care in Coralville and the personalized approach Total Health Chiropractic uses for patients with back, joint and nerve-related complaints. The specific treatment recommended will depend on your examination findings rather than the presence of sciatica symptoms alone. Total Health Chiropractic currently identifies sciatica among the neuromusculoskeletal complaints it evaluates and treats.
Spinal Decompression for Certain Types of Sciatica
For some patients, sciatica is associated with a lumbar disc problem that places pressure or irritation on a nearby nerve root. In these cases, spinal decompression therapy for sciatica may be considered. Total Health Chiropractic offers IDD Therapy®, a non-surgical form of spinal decompression used for appropriately selected patients with conditions including herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease and sciatica. Your doctor can determine whether spinal decompression is appropriate for your condition after reviewing your symptoms and examination findings.
Sciatica Following an Injury
Sciatica symptoms can sometimes begin or worsen following an injury. A vehicle collision, lifting incident, fall or sports-related injury may affect the lower back and surrounding tissues and contribute to irritation of the nerves that form the sciatic nerve. Patients whose symptoms began after a collision can learn more about our auto accident injury treatment in Coralville, while physically active patients can explore our chiropractic care for sports injuries. Total Health Chiropractic provides individualized care for both auto-related and sports-related musculoskeletal injuries.
Additional Treatment Options for Sciatica
Sciatica treatment may involve more than one approach depending on the source and severity of the symptoms. In addition to chiropractic care and spinal decompression, recommendations may include rehabilitation, therapeutic exercises, mobility work or other conservative therapies available at Total Health Chiropractic. For appropriate patients, cold laser therapy may also be incorporated into a broader treatment plan to support tissue recovery and help manage discomfort. The goal is to select therapies based on the underlying problem and how it is affecting your ability to move and function.
Sciatica Care for Coralville, Iowa City and Johnson County
Total Health Chiropractic is located at 2201 E. Grantview Dr., Suite 202 in Coralville, Iowa. We care for patients from Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin, Solon and communities throughout Johnson County. If leg pain, numbness, tingling or recurring lower back discomfort is interfering with your activities, an evaluation can help determine whether sciatic nerve irritation may be involved and what treatment options may be appropriate. Schedule your appointment online or call (319) 338-7025.
Sciatica FAQ
Experiencing sciatica or radiating leg pain in Coralville, IA? Total Health Chiropractic offers personalized chiropractic care, spinal decompression and other conservative treatment options. Schedule online.
Sciatica may cause pain, burning, tingling, numbness or other unusual sensations along one side of the lower body. Some patients experience symptoms primarily in the buttock or thigh, while others feel them farther down the leg.
Sciatic nerve symptoms can be associated with conditions affecting the lower spine, including herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc changes, inflammation or other mechanical problems that irritate a lumbar nerve root.
Chiropractic care may be appropriate when musculoskeletal or mechanical factors are contributing to sciatic nerve irritation. Your chiropractor can evaluate your spine, movement, symptoms and relevant neurological findings before recommending a treatment plan.
Spinal decompression may be considered for certain patients whose sciatica is associated with a disc problem or nerve-root irritation. Total Health Chiropractic offers IDD Therapy® spinal decompression, but an evaluation is necessary to determine whether it is appropriate for your condition.
Not every patient with sciatica needs X-rays. Imaging may be recommended when your history, symptoms or examination findings indicate that it could provide useful clinical information. Total Health Chiropractic has digital X-rays available in-house when appropriate.
Yes. Injuries involving the lower back, pelvis or surrounding tissues can sometimes contribute to nerve irritation and sciatica-like symptoms. An evaluation can help determine whether an injury may be related to your symptoms.
Total Health Chiropractic provides sciatica evaluation and conservative treatment in Coralville, IA, serving patients from Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin, Solon and surrounding Johnson County communities.
