Sciatica Treatment in Mooresville, NC
Sciatica is a specific kind of pain we see regularly at our office on South Broad Street. People describe it differently: a sharp shooting pain from the low back into the buttock, a burning or tingling that runs down the back of the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. What they have in common is that it does not stay in one place, and it tends to get worse with sitting, with certain movements, or after being on their feet for a long time.
The nerve and what compresses it
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body. It starts in the lower spine, runs through the buttock, and travels down the back of each leg. When something puts pressure on it or irritates it at the root, you feel it along the whole path of the nerve.
The most common cause is a herniated or bulging disc in the lower spine pressing against the nerve root. Degenerative disc disease, where the discs have thinned over time, can create the same problem. Less commonly, a tight piriformis muscle in the buttock can compress the nerve, which is sometimes called piriformis syndrome. The cause matters because it shapes what kind of treatment makes sense.
Treatment
Spinal decompression. When a disc is the source of the compression, non-surgical spinal decompression is often the most direct approach. The table gently stretches the spine to take pressure off the disc and the nerve root. Over a course of treatment, the disc can retract and the nerve has room to settle. Read more about spinal decompression.
Chiropractic adjustment. Restoring proper motion to the joints of the lower spine reduces the mechanical stress that aggravates the disc and the nerve. We use gentle, low-force techniques for active sciatica so we are not adding more irritation to the area. Read more about chiropractic care.
Acupuncture. Acupuncture is effective for nerve pain. It helps calm the nervous system, reduce the inflammatory response around the nerve root, and ease the muscle tension that often builds up around the problem. Many patients combine it with decompression and find the two work well together. We offer a significant discount when you combine services. Read more about acupuncture.
Dry needling. For piriformis-related sciatica or secondary muscle spasm in the buttock and leg, dry needling releases the tight tissue that is putting pressure on the nerve from the outside. Read more about dry needling.
The course of care
Sciatica usually takes longer to resolve than straightforward low back pain because the nerve needs time to settle once the pressure is off it. Most patients start to notice less leg pain within a few weeks of consistent care. Full resolution can take longer depending on how compressed the disc is and how long the problem has been there.
We track your progress at each visit. If the leg pain is improving but the low back is still tight, we adjust accordingly. If something is not responding, we tell you and discuss next steps, including whether imaging makes sense.
Common questions
How do I know if it is sciatica or something else?
True sciatica follows the path of the sciatic nerve: low back into the buttock and down the back of the leg, sometimes to the foot. Pain that stays in the hip or the front of the leg is usually a different structure. We sort this out at the exam.
Should I rest or stay active with sciatica?
Total rest usually makes it worse. Gentle movement is better than lying still. We will tell you what to avoid and what helps in between visits.
Can sciatica go away on its own?
Sometimes, if the disc was mildly irritated. But if you have had it for more than a few weeks, it is unlikely to fully resolve without addressing the underlying disc or joint problem.
Do I need surgery for sciatica?
Most sciatica does not require surgery. Conservative care, including decompression and chiropractic, resolves the majority of cases. Surgery is typically considered only after conservative care has been tried and failed, or when there is significant nerve damage.
Related conditions: Low Back Pain | Herniated Disc
Serving Mooresville and the Lake Norman area, including Statesville and Cornelius.
Schedule an appointment or call 704-663-2010.
