Calm the nerve at its source, not just the leg.

That deep, radiating pain down your leg usually starts in your low back¹. We look for what may be irritating the nerve and use gentle, hands-on care and movement guidance to help ease the pain and support your recovery².

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See the signs

At a glance

What it feels like

A sharp, burning, or shooting pain that travels from the low back into the buttock and down one leg.³

Common causes

Most often a bulging or herniated disc pressing on the sciatic nerve; less commonly a tight piriformis muscle or a vertebra that has shifted out of position.¹

The good news

Most sciatica improves over time with gentle, non-surgical care — staying active, targeted exercises, and hands-on therapies.³

The basics

What is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the body’s largest nerve, running from the low back through the buttock and down the leg. Sciatica isn’t a disease of its own; it’s a symptom signaling that something is pressing on or irritating that nerve.⁴

Because sciatica is a symptom, chasing the leg pain alone rarely settles it for good. We take time to find where the nerve is actually being pinched — a disc, a tight muscle, or a joint that’s out of line — and work on that source with gentle, low-force adjustments and cold laser that may help ease the leg pain and discomfort many people feel with sciatica². Results vary from person to person.

The signs

How sciatica tends to show up.

Pain that radiates from the low back or buttock down one leg¹
A sharp, burning, or electric shooting feeling rather than a dull ache
Tingling, pins-and-needles, or numbness in the leg or foot³

Pain that flares when you sit for a while, bend, cough, or sneeze
Weakness or a heavy, tired feeling in the affected leg
Symptoms usually on just one side, easing when you change position

If you notice sudden weakness in both legs, or any loss of bladder or bowel control, that’s an emergency — seek urgent care right away.⁵ For the everyday sciatica that lingers and wears you down, we’re glad to help you get to the bottom of it.

Where it starts

What’s actually causing it.

Herniated or bulging disc

When the cushion between two vertebrae bulges or slips out of place, it can press on the sciatic nerve and send pain down the leg. It’s one of the most common sources we see.¹

Piriformis tension

The sciatic nerve runs right beneath the piriformis, a small muscle deep in the buttock. When that muscle tightens or spasms, it can squeeze the nerve and mimic disc-related sciatica.⁶

Spinal misalignment

When low-back and pelvic joints move poorly, nearby tissue and nerves can become irritated. Gentle chiropractic care aims to restore normal joint motion and ease that irritation — an approach clinical guidelines support as part of care for low back pain.⁷

Our approach

How we help you find relief.

No forceful twisting and no rushing. We work in three unhurried steps — find the source, ease the pressure, and help keep it from returning.

Find the source

We start with a careful exam and your history to pinpoint where the nerve is really being irritated — disc, muscle, or joint — so our care can focus on that mechanical source and restoring movement, not just the leg pain¹.

Relieve the pressure

Gentle, low-force adjustments may help improve low-back mobility and ease discomfort, and we may pair them with cold laser and nutritional support for digestion and general wellness as part of a comfort-focused care plan.⁸

Keep it from returning

As you improve, we share simple movement and posture habits to support your low back — so the relief holds and sciatica is less likely to flare down the road⁹.

Sciatica & disc pain, specifically

Questions people ask about sciatica

Can chiropractic care actually help my sciatica?

For many people, yes. Most sciatica comes from a nerve being compressed in the lower back, often by a herniated (“slipped”) disc. Gentle chiropractic care and other manual therapy may help ease the pain for some people, and many cases of sciatica improve over a few weeks to months.¹⁰

Is the adjustment going to hurt if I’m already in pain?

Dr. Marrone uses gentle, low-force technique — no aggressive cracking or twisting. It’s a gentle, low-force alternative to forceful manipulation, avoiding the hard thrust and joint “cracking” of high-velocity adjustments — often a well-tolerated fit for seniors, patients with bone-density concerns, and nervous first-timers alike.¹¹

How soon might I feel better?

Everyone is different, and it depends on what’s causing your sciatica and how long it’s been going on. Some people feel easier within the first few visits; others need a bit more time.³ After your exam we’ll give you an honest picture of what to expect.

Do I need surgery or a referral first?

Most sciatica improves without surgery, and you don’t need a referral to be seen — you can book directly. Conservative, non-surgical care is usually the sensible first step¹², and if we ever felt you needed more, we’d tell you honestly.

What can I do at home to ease a flare-up?

Gentle movement and short walks usually beat long stretches of sitting or bed rest, which can stiffen things up. Once we’ve seen you, we’ll suggest simple positions and habits that fit your situation so you’re not guessing between visits.

Ready to get to the root of your sciatica?

Let’s find what’s pressing on the nerve and ease it gently — no pressure, no obligation, just an honest look at whether we can help.