Sciatica is a form of radicular pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down one leg along the course of the sciatic nerve. It is not a standalone diagnosis but a clinical sign that one or more lumbar nerve roots—most commonly L4, L5, or S1—are irritated or compressed. Symptoms often include sharp, burning, or electric-like pain, sometimes with tingling, numbness, or weakness. The pain is typically one-sided and may worsen with prolonged sitting, bending, lifting, or coughing.

Recognizing the symptoms of sciatica is the first step toward effective treatment. Some of the most common signs include:

• Sharp, shooting, or burning pain from the low back/buttock down the back of the thigh, calf, or into the foot (typically one side).
• Tingling, “pins and needles,” or numbness in the leg or foot.
• Leg weakness or trouble lifting the foot or standing on toes/heels; a “heavy” leg.
• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, twisting, or coughing/sneezing; often eases with gentle walking or lying down.
• Tight or guarded hamstrings, reduced range of motion, and an antalgic (protective) posture.

Seek urgent care if pain is accompanied by new bladder/bowel changes, saddle numbness, or rapidly worsening weakness.

Most cases come from something narrowing the space around a nerve root in the lower spine or irritating the sciatic nerve higher in the hip/buttock region. Common causes include:

• Lumbar disc herniation or bulge pressing on a nerve root.
• Degenerative changes/arthritis (bone spurs, disc height loss) causing foramina narrowing.
• Lumbar spinal stenosis (crowding of the spinal canal).
• Spondylolisthesis (one vertebra slips forward on another).
• Facet joint inflammation and local swelling.
• Piriformis syndrome (the muscle in the buttock compresses the sciatic nerve).
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction and muscular imbalance/postural strain.
• Pregnancy (postural shifts and ligament laxity).
• Overuse or repetitive strain (running, pickleball, golf, heavy lifting) and prolonged sitting.
• Trauma (falls, sports injuries); less commonly, tumors or infection.

At Shaker Spine & Sport Institute, located in Tampa, FL, we understand the debilitating impact sciatica can have on your daily life. That’s why we’re dedicated to providing effective, non-invasive treatment options to help you find relief and regain control of your well-being. Visit our Chiropractic Physicians and they will be able to do a thorough examination and help you develop a treatment plan.

We offer a variety of different treatments to help treat sciatica, such as:

Chiropractic Adjustment: This is a common treatment for reducing inflammation. The chiropractor will use their hands to manipulate the spine and help reduce the inflammation in the plantar fascia.

‍Soft Wave Tissue Regeneration Therapy: Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Ice/Heat Therapy: Ice or heat therapy can also be used to help reduce the inflammation in the Plantar Fasciitis.

‍Custom Orthotics: Personalized shoe inserts to provide proper support and alignment.

With over 35 years of experience serving the South Tampa community, our expert team is dedicated to helping you live pain-free.  Don't let your conditions limit your life - schedule your appointment today to start your recovery!