Condition Guide
Sciatica
Sciatica describes symptoms that travel along the path of the sciatic nerve, often from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Because several conditions can produce similar symptoms, an evaluation is important before beginning care.
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels through the buttock and down one leg. Some patients describe burning, shooting, electric, or aching discomfort. Numbness, tingling, or weakness may also occur.
Symptoms may change with sitting, standing, walking, bending, coughing, or lifting. The location and intensity can vary from person to person.
Sciatica is a description of nerve-related symptoms rather than one single diagnosis. Irritation or pressure affecting a nerve in the lower back may be involved, but hip conditions, muscle-related problems, peripheral nerve conditions, and other medical concerns can sometimes cause similar symptoms.
A careful history and examination help determine whether conservative care is appropriate or whether additional medical evaluation is needed.
How CorAxis Evaluates and May Support Sciatica
Dr. Angie Espinal reviews where the symptoms begin, how far they travel, whether numbness or weakness is present, and what positions or activities affect them.
The evaluation may include lower-back and hip movement, posture, joint mobility, strength, sensation, reflexes, balance, walking, and neurological or orthopedic testing when appropriate.
If the findings are consistent with a condition that may be managed conservatively, recommendations may include chiropractic adjustments, low-force chiropractic care, movement assessment, muscle release therapy, corrective exercises, mobility guidance, or cold laser therapy when clinically appropriate.
Care is personalized. Services are selected according to the examination, symptom behavior, patient comfort, and response over time.
Safety and When Medical Referral Is Needed
Certain symptoms require urgent medical evaluation. These include loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, rapidly progressing leg weakness, inability to walk normally, or severe symptoms affecting both legs.
Prompt medical evaluation may also be needed after significant trauma or when symptoms occur with fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history that raises concern for infection, fracture, cancer, or another serious condition.
If examination findings indicate that chiropractic care is not appropriate, Dr. Espinal will explain the concern and refer the patient for the appropriate level of care. Referral may involve a primary care physician, emergency department, neurologist, orthopedic specialist, or another healthcare professional.
The purpose of the evaluation is not only to determine what care may help, but also to recognize when another provider is needed.
Schedule a Sciatica Evaluation
Visit CorAxis in Spartanburg for a personalized evaluation of leg symptoms, movement, strength, mobility, and neurological function.