Low Back Pain and Sciatica

Lower back pain and sciatica are two of the most common conditions we treat at Hanson Chiropractic Center. Maybe your back grabs every time you get out of the car, or a burning pain shoots down one leg when you sit too long. Either way, we hear about it every week, and we know how much it gets in the way of your day. Our chiropractors figure out where the pain is coming from first. Then we put together a gentle plan to get you moving again.

Is it sciatica, or is my back just sore?

Here's the easiest way to tell. A sore back stays in your back. You feel a dull ache or tightness across your lower spine, and sometimes a little of it spreads into your hips.

Sciatica doesn't stay put. A nerve in your lower back gets pinched or irritated, and the pain runs through your buttock and down the back of one leg, sometimes all the way to your foot. A lot of people also get tingling or numbness, or their foot feels weak. Sitting, coughing, and sneezing usually make it worse. Getting up and walking around helps for a little while, which is why you keep shifting in your chair.

What causes lower back pain and sciatica

Most of the time it's a mix of things. Hours of sitting, lifting a heavy box the wrong way, a quick twist while you're working in the yard, or an old injury that never really healed. Discs wear down as we get older, joints get stiff, and tight muscles pull everything out of balance.

And sometimes there's no reason at all. You wake up one morning and your back hurts. We hear that one a lot, and that's exactly why we start with an exam.

How we treat lower back pain and sciatica

After your exam, we tell you what we found and what we'd do about it. Most plans use two or three of these.

Gentle adjustments. We use light, targeted pressure to get stiff joints moving again. No twisting and no loud popping. Most people tell us the visit actually feels relaxing. Read more about our gentle chiropractic adjustments.

Spinal decompression. If a disc is pressing on a nerve, decompression slowly stretches your spine to take some of that pressure off. No surgery and no medication. See how decompression therapy works.

Laser therapy. We use a Class IV laser on sore, inflamed spots in your back and hips. Most people feel a gentle warmth and that's it. Learn more about laser therapy.

Massage. Tight muscles in your lower back, hips, and glutes can keep the pain hanging around. When your plan includes massage, our massage therapist works those spots loose.

What you can do at home

Keep moving. Short walks do more for a sore back than lying in bed. If you sit all day, get up every half hour, even if it's only for a minute. Set your chair so your feet rest flat on the floor and your screen sits at eye level. When you pick something up, bend your knees and hold it close to your body.

We'll also show you a few stretches and easy exercises for your back and hips, so you keep getting better between visits.

What we check on your first visit

We'll ask where it hurts, whether the pain runs down your leg, and what makes it better or worse. Then we watch how your back bends and twists, test the strength and reflexes in your legs, and check whether a nerve is involved. That tells us if we're dealing with a sore back, sciatica, or a little of both.

You'll save some time if you fill out your new patient paperwork before you come in.

When to go to the ER instead

Some back pain needs a doctor right away. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you lose control of your bladder or bowels, feel numb in your groin or inner thighs, or your leg suddenly goes weak. Same thing if you have back pain with a fever. After a hard fall or a car accident, get checked by a doctor before you come see us.

Questions about lower back pain and sciatica

Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?

Yes, and it's one of the most common reasons people come see us. The American College of Physicians lists spinal manipulation as one of its first choices without drugs for lower back pain. Your exam shows us what's pinching or irritating the nerve, and we build your plan from there. Results vary from person to person.

Should I see a chiropractor or a doctor for lower back pain?

For most everyday back pain, you can start with us. You don't need a referral. If you have any of the warning signs listed above, like numbness in your groin or a fever, see a doctor first.

Will sciatica go away on its own?

Sometimes it eases up in a few weeks. But if whatever's bothering the nerve is still there, the pain tends to hang around or keep coming back. We work on calming it down sooner and fixing what's setting it off.

How many visits will I need?

That depends on how long you've been hurting and what's behind it. Something that started last week usually clears up quicker than pain you've had for a year. Many people notice a difference in the first few visits, but everyone's different. We'll give you a straight answer after your exam and check how you're doing every visit.

Does an adjustment hurt?

Most people feel little or nothing. You lie down comfortably and we use gentle pressure. If anything bothers you, tell us and we'll change what we're doing.

Is decompression right for my sciatica?

It depends on what's causing it. Decompression works best when a disc is pressing on a nerve. We check for that during your exam and tell you whether it makes sense for you.

Do I need x-rays?

Not always. We decide after we talk with you and look at your back. If we need them, we take digital x-rays right here in the office.

This page is general information and doesn't replace advice from your doctor. Results vary from person to person. See everything else we help with on our Conditions We Treat page.