Sciatica
Sciatica Chiropractor in La Jolla
Calm the nerve. Fix the pattern.
Chiropractic care can relieve most cases of sciatica by taking pressure off the sciatic nerve — whether it's being irritated at the spine or compressed by tight muscles along the way. The key is finding where your nerve is actually being provoked, because that determines everything about treatment.
What it feels like
Sciatica has a signature.
True sciatica follows the path of the sciatic nerve — from the low back or buttock, down the back of the leg, sometimes all the way to the foot.
Pain running down one leg
Sharp, burning, or electric pain from the buttock down the back of the thigh — often worse with sitting, coughing, or standing up from a chair.
Numbness & tingling
Pins-and-needles in the leg, calf, or foot. It tells me which part of the nerve is irritated — useful diagnostic information, not just an annoyance.
The deep buttock ache
Sometimes the nerve is compressed by the piriformis muscle rather than at the spine. The treatment is different, which is why the exam matters.
Disc-related flare-ups
Bulging or irritated discs can inflame the nerve root. Most disc-related sciatica improves with conservative care — surgery is rarely the first answer.
Weakness or foot drop
If the leg is getting weaker or you're catching your toe when you walk, that needs prompt evaluation — I assess for this at every sciatica exam and refer for imaging when it's warranted.
The long sit problem
Drivers, desk workers, frequent flyers — prolonged sitting is sciatica's best friend. Movement strategy is part of every treatment plan.
How I treat it
Find the cause, then treat it.
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. My exam locates where the nerve is being irritated — spine, SI joint, or muscle — and care is built from there.
Chiropractic adjustments
Restoring motion to the lumbar spine and pelvis takes mechanical pressure off the nerve root — the most common driver of true sciatica.
Soft tissue & cupping
Releasing the piriformis, glutes, and hamstrings clears the muscular compression points along the nerve's path.
Nerve-friendly movement
Specific mobility work that helps the nerve glide instead of snag — plus positions and habits that calm flare-ups between visits.
Reformer-based rebuilding
Once the leg pain settles, reformer work strengthens the hips and core so the nerve stays decompressed for good.
What to expect
Your first visit, step by step.
Every new patient starts with a 50-minute New Patient Exam ($150) — so treatment is based on what your body actually shows, not assumptions.
Conversation first
We start by talking — your history, your goals, what makes it better or worse. You'll never feel rushed through this part.
Physical & movement exam
I assess how you move, not just where it hurts — because the cause and the symptom are often in different places.
Same-day treatment
When it's appropriate, you'll receive your first hands-on treatment during this visit — most patients do.
A clear plan
You leave knowing what's going on, how many visits to expect, and what to do between them. Honest timelines, no open-ended care plans.
Common questions
Sciatica, answered.
In most cases, yes — chiropractic care resolves or significantly improves the majority of sciatica cases by relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve at its source. The exam determines whether yours is driven by the spine, the SI joint, or muscle compression, and treatment follows from that.
Mild cases often settle in 2–4 weeks with care; more established sciatica typically takes 6–12 weeks. Flare-ups usually calm faster than first episodes. You'll get an honest estimate for your specific case at your first visit.
See a provider promptly if you have progressive leg weakness, numbness in the groin or saddle area, or changes in bladder or bowel control — those are red flags that need medical evaluation, not chiropractic care. I screen for all of them at every sciatica exam and refer immediately when indicated.
Usually yes — gentle, frequent walking helps most sciatica by keeping the nerve moving and the back muscles loose. Long sitting is generally the worst thing for it. I'll give you specific movement guidance based on what your exam shows.
Ready when you are
Stop negotiating with your leg.
Book a New Patient Exam online — I'll find where the nerve is being irritated and build your plan from there.
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