Sciatica Treatment in Orem, Utah
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica? Yes. Chiropractic adjustments reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve by correcting spinal and pelvic alignment, while soft tissue therapy and targeted exercises address the muscles and structures contributing to nerve compression. Dr. Drussel treats sciatica at Integrative Motion in Orem, UT.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is not a diagnosis itself but a description of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the longest and thickest nerve in the human body. The sciatic nerve originates from nerve roots in the lower lumbar and upper sacral spine (L4 through S3), exits the pelvis through the sciatic notch, and travels down the back of each leg all the way to the feet.
When this nerve is compressed or irritated at any point along its path, it produces a characteristic pattern of symptoms: pain that radiates from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or even an electric shock-like feeling. Numbness, tingling, and muscle weakness in the affected leg are also common.
Common causes of sciatica include herniated or bulging lumbar discs (the most frequent cause), spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal), piriformis syndrome (compression of the nerve by the piriformis muscle in the buttock), sacroiliac joint dysfunction, degenerative disc disease, and spondylolisthesis (slippage of one vertebra over another).
How Dr. Drussel Treats Sciatica
Effective sciatica treatment requires identifying exactly where and why the sciatic nerve is being compressed. At Integrative Motion, Dr. Drussel performs a comprehensive examination that includes lumbar spine palpation, neurological testing (reflexes, sensation, muscle strength), orthopedic special tests (straight leg raise, slump test), range-of-motion evaluation, and functional movement assessment.
Based on these findings, he develops a treatment plan that targets the specific cause of your sciatica:
- Lumbar and pelvic adjustments to correct spinal misalignment and reduce pressure on the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve
- Sacroiliac joint mobilization to address SI joint dysfunction, a frequently overlooked cause of sciatic symptoms
- Soft tissue therapy to release the piriformis muscle and other hip rotators that can compress the sciatic nerve as it passes through the pelvis
- Acupuncture to reduce pain and inflammation along the nerve pathway
- McKenzie method exercises and nerve flossing techniques to reduce disc pressure and improve sciatic nerve mobility
- Core stabilization exercises to support the lumbar spine and prevent recurrence
Signs You Should See a Chiropractor for Sciatica
- Pain that radiates from your lower back down through your buttock and leg
- Sharp, shooting, or burning pain that follows a path down the back of your leg
- Numbness or tingling in your leg, foot, or toes
- Weakness in the affected leg that makes it difficult to walk or stand
- Pain that worsens when sitting for extended periods
- Difficulty standing up from a seated position
- Pain on one side that makes it hard to find a comfortable position
- Symptoms that have persisted for more than a week without improvement
What to Expect During Treatment
Your first sciatica appointment at Integrative Motion lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Dr. Drussel will perform a detailed examination to determine the exact cause and severity of your sciatic nerve compression. He will explain his findings in plain language and outline a clear treatment plan with expected timelines.
Treatment typically begins the same day. For acute sciatica, visits are usually scheduled 2 to 3 times per week for the first few weeks. Most patients at Integrative Motion see meaningful improvement in sciatic symptoms within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent treatment, though some respond even faster.
Dr. Drussel prescribes specific home exercises and stretches from your very first visit. These are essential for decompressing the nerve between office visits and building the core stability needed to prevent recurrence. He will demonstrate each exercise and watch you perform it before you leave.
Frequently Asked Questions
Chiropractic care effectively treats the underlying causes of most sciatica cases and provides lasting relief. The majority of patients at Integrative Motion experience significant or complete resolution of their sciatic symptoms through a combination of adjustments, soft tissue therapy, and corrective exercises. Most sciatica cases do not require surgery when treated conservatively with chiropractic care.
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 4 to 6 weeks of consistent chiropractic treatment. Mild cases may resolve faster. Severe cases involving significant disc herniation may take 8 to 12 weeks. Dr. Drussel tracks your progress at every visit using objective measurements and adjusts the treatment plan based on your response.
Chiropractors are primary care providers trained to diagnose and treat sciatica. For most cases, chiropractic care is the appropriate first line of treatment because it is conservative, non-invasive, and addresses the structural cause. If Dr. Drussel identifies findings that require medical intervention (such as progressive neurological deficits), he will refer you to the appropriate specialist.
Sciatica can recur if the underlying factors are not addressed, which is why Dr. Drussel emphasizes corrective exercises and lifestyle modifications as part of your treatment plan. Patients who maintain their home exercise program and schedule periodic maintenance visits have significantly lower recurrence rates than those who stop care once symptoms resolve.
Not resolving as expected?
When structural treatment alone isn't producing the results you'd expect, there may be something systemic underneath. Chronic inflammation, nutritional deficiencies, or metabolic imbalances can prevent your body from healing properly. Dr. Drussel's functional medicine approach investigates these deeper root causes.
Find Relief from Sciatica
Schedule your sciatica evaluation with Dr. Drussel at Integrative Motion in Orem, Utah. Do not let nerve pain control your life.