Sciatica

Sciatica is pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is a symptom, not a diagnosis on its own. Something is irritating or compressing the nerve, and your job (with help from a chiropractor or doctor) is to figure out what. Classic sciatica symptoms include: - A sharp, burning, or electric pain that starts in the low back or buttock and shoots down one leg - Numbness, tingling, or a pins-and-needles feeling in the leg or foot - Weakness in the leg, especially when trying to lift your foot or stand on your toes - Pain that gets worse with sitting, coughing, sneezing, or bending forward Most people feel sciatica on only one side. If you have pain in both legs, saddle numbness (numbness around your groin or inner thighs), or loss of bladder or bowel control, that is a medical emergency. Head to the ER right away. You can read more about warning signs on our [chiropractic emergencies FAQ](/faq/chiropractic-emergencies-when-to-seek-urgent-care-or-the-er-instead). According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, sciatica affects up to 40% of adults at some point in their lives. So if you are dealing with it, you are far from alone. In Tracy, we see it often in commuters who sit for long drives to the Bay Area and in warehouse workers around the Cordes Ranch and International Park of Commerce corridors. A proper exam, orthopedic testing, and sometimes imaging can pinpoint what is causing your specific case. Learn more about our approach on our [sciatica service page](/services/sciatica).

Sciatica happens when something puts pressure on or irritates the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots in your lower spine. The most common causes we see at Valley Chiropractic include: - **Herniated or bulging discs.** When the soft cushion between two vertebrae pushes out and presses on a nerve root, you get radiating pain. This is the number one cause. Our [disc conditions page](/services/disc-conditions) explains this in more depth. - **Piriformis syndrome.** The piriformis is a small muscle deep in your buttock. When it gets tight or spasms, it can pinch the sciatic nerve that runs right underneath (or through) it. - **Spinal stenosis.** This is a narrowing of the spinal canal, more common in adults over 60. - **Spondylolisthesis.** One vertebra slips forward over another, which can pinch nerves. - **Pregnancy.** The added weight, shifted center of gravity, and hormonal changes can trigger sciatica. Our [prenatal chiropractic care](/services/prenatal-chiropractic) is designed for this. Certain lifestyle factors raise your risk too. Long commutes, sitting for hours at a desk, jobs that involve heavy lifting or twisting, being overweight, and diabetes are all common culprits. Around Tracy and Mountain House, we see a lot of sciatica in patients who drive over the Altamont Pass daily. Sitting for 90 minutes each way is rough on the lower back. A study published in the [BMJ](https://www.bmj.com/content/334/7607/1313) found that around 90% of sciatica cases stem from a herniated disc. That is why a careful exam matters. The wrong stretch for a disc problem can actually make things worse. Chiropractic care focuses on identifying the specific source and treating it directly, rather than just masking the pain.

Chiropractic care for sciatica focuses on reducing pressure on the affected nerve, calming inflammation, and helping your body heal without drugs or surgery. Most patients start feeling relief within the first few visits, though full recovery takes longer. Here is what your treatment plan might look like at our Tracy office: 1. **Thorough exam and history.** Dr. Durant or another provider will test your reflexes, strength, and sensation, and check how your spine moves. If we need imaging, we will order it or refer you out. 2. **Spinal adjustments.** Gentle, specific adjustments to the lumbar spine and pelvis can take pressure off the nerve root. We use several [chiropractic techniques](/services/chiropractic-techniques) depending on your body and preferences, from traditional diversified to lower-force methods like the Activator. 3. **Soft tissue work.** Tight glutes, piriformis, and hamstrings often play a role. [Massage therapy](/services/massage-therapy) and myofascial release can help. 4. **Targeted exercises.** We teach specific stretches and strengthening moves for the core and hips. These are key for long-term relief. 5. **Lifestyle guidance.** Adjusting your workstation, driving posture, and sleep position often makes a big difference. Research supports this approach. A study in the [Spine Journal](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16949002/) found that patients with acute sciatica who received spinal manipulation had better outcomes than those receiving simulated treatment. The American Chiropractic Association also lists conservative care as a first-line option for radiating low back pain. We never twist or crack a leg if there are signs of serious nerve damage. Safety comes first. If you are unsure whether chiropractic is right for you, our [first visit FAQ](/faq/first-visit) walks through what to expect.

Most acute sciatica improves within 4 to 6 weeks with proper care. Some people feel much better in just a few days, while others deal with symptoms for several months. The timeline depends on the cause, how long you have had symptoms, your overall health, and how quickly you start treatment. Here is a general guide based on what we see in our clinics: - **Mild cases (muscle-related or minor disc irritation):** Often resolve within 1 to 2 weeks with treatment and home care. - **Moderate cases (small disc herniation, piriformis syndrome):** Usually 4 to 8 weeks of care. - **Severe or chronic cases (large herniation, stenosis, or long-standing issues):** Can take 3 to 6 months, sometimes longer. A large review in the [BMJ](https://www.bmj.com/content/336/7657/1355) found that about 75% of sciatica patients see significant improvement within 12 weeks of conservative care. That is encouraging news if you are just starting your recovery. What can slow you down? Sitting for hours (a real issue for Tracy residents commuting to the Bay), ignoring symptoms and pushing through, poor sleep, high stress, and skipping your home exercises. Diabetes and smoking can also delay nerve healing. What speeds things up? Starting care early, staying active with the right movements, following your treatment plan, and modifying activities that flare you up. Ice in the first 48 to 72 hours, then heat afterward, can also help most people. If your sciatica has lasted more than 6 to 8 weeks without any improvement, it is time to reassess. We may adjust your treatment plan, order imaging, or coordinate with your primary care doctor. You can schedule at any of our locations: [Tracy](/locations/tracy), [Mountain House](/locations/mountain-house), [Manteca](/locations/manteca), or [Ripon](/locations/ripon).

The right stretches can ease sciatica, but the wrong ones can make it worse, especially if a disc is involved. Always check with your chiropractor or doctor first, particularly if you have significant leg weakness or numbness. That said, here are some gentle movements that help many of our Tracy patients with sciatica: 1. **Knee-to-chest stretch.** Lie on your back, pull one knee gently toward your chest, and hold for 20 to 30 seconds. Switch sides. This can ease tension in the low back. 2. **Piriformis stretch (figure-4).** Lie on your back, cross your ankle over the opposite knee, and gently pull the bottom leg toward you. Great for buttock tightness. 3. **Cat-cow.** On hands and knees, slowly arch and round your back. Keeps the spine mobile without loading it. 4. **Prone press-ups (McKenzie extensions).** Lie face down and press your chest up while keeping your hips on the floor. For many disc-related cases, this centralizes the pain back toward the spine, which is a good sign. 5. **Glute bridges.** Strengthens the hips and stabilizes the low back. What to avoid when your sciatica is flared: seated forward folds, deep hamstring stretches, heavy squats or deadlifts, and long periods of sitting. Walking is one of the best things you can do. Aim for short, frequent walks rather than one long one. The American Chiropractic Association points out that staying active (within pain tolerance) leads to better outcomes than bed rest for most low back and sciatica cases. Even a 10 to 15 minute walk around your Tracy neighborhood a couple times a day can help. If you have desk job flare-ups, check out our post on [posture fixes for remote workers](/blog/posture-fixes-for-remote-workers-a-chiropractor-s-daily-routine). For a deeper dive into sciatica-specific self-care, see our [sciatica relief guide](/blog/sciatica-relief-guide-valley-chiropractic).

See a chiropractor first for most cases of sciatica, especially if your symptoms are new, mild to moderate, and you have no red flags. Chiropractic is a conservative, non-invasive starting point that avoids the side effects of pain medications or the risks of early surgery. Go directly to the ER if you have any of these: - Loss of bladder or bowel control - Numbness around your groin, inner thighs, or buttocks (saddle anesthesia) - Sudden, severe weakness in one or both legs - Sciatica after a serious fall, car crash, or trauma - Fever, unexplained weight loss, or history of cancer combined with new back pain These can point to cauda equina syndrome or other serious problems that need urgent care. Our [emergencies FAQ](/faq/chiropractic-emergencies-when-to-seek-urgent-care-or-the-er-instead) covers this in more detail. See your primary care doctor if you want a medical workup, need prescription medication, or if conservative care has not worked after 6 to 8 weeks. Your doctor can order MRI imaging and refer you to a specialist if needed. See a chiropractor if you have the classic pattern: back or buttock pain that shoots down one leg, worse with sitting or bending, but no loss of function. We can examine you, rule out red flags, and start hands-on care right away. Many patients avoid needing stronger interventions by starting here. For Tracy residents, that Bay Area commute makes sciatica worse fast. The sooner you get evaluated, the better. Same-day appointments are often available at our Tracy and Mountain House offices. See our [scheduling FAQ](/faq/scheduling-a-chiropractic-appointment-hours-walk-ins-same-day-visits) for details. Also worth reading: [pain medications vs. chiropractic care](/blog/pain-medications-vs-chiropractic-care-tracy) if you want to understand your options before starting a treatment path.

Most major insurance plans in California cover chiropractic care for sciatica, but the specifics vary widely based on your plan. Coverage details for your visit depend on your individual insurance and the type of care you need, so we recommend calling our office with your insurance card handy for an accurate answer. Here is what typically applies: - **PPO plans** usually offer the most flexibility and often include chiropractic benefits with a set number of visits per year. - **HMO plans** may require a referral from your primary care doctor first. - **Medicare** covers medically necessary spinal manipulation for sciatica, but not exams, therapies, or X-rays performed by the chiropractor. - **Medi-Cal** coverage for chiropractic is limited. - **Workers comp and auto injury claims** typically cover sciatica care when the condition is related to a work injury or car accident. See our [auto accident injury](/services/auto-accident-injury) and [personal injury](/services/personal-injury) pages for more. Our front desk team verifies your benefits before your first visit and explains what your plan covers. We also work with patients who prefer to pay out of pocket and offer flexible options for care plans that go beyond insurance coverage. For a broader look at how chiropractic insurance works in California, check out our [2026 California chiropractic insurance guide](/blog/chiropractic-insurance-coverage-california-2026-guide) or our general [insurance FAQ](/faq/insurance). One thing to know: many patients delay care because they assume it will be expensive. In reality, early conservative care for sciatica often costs less over time than waiting until you need advanced imaging, injections, or surgery. Research published in [BMC Health Services Research](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23788286/) found that patients who saw a chiropractor first for low back pain had lower overall healthcare costs than those who started with a medical doctor. Call any of our Tracy, Mountain House, Manteca, or Ripon offices, and we will help you understand your options.