Sciatica
If you're dealing with a sharp, shooting pain that runs from your lower back down through your hip and into your leg and sometimes all the way to your foot — there's a good chance it's sciatica. It's one of the most disruptive types of pain we see in the clinic, and also one of the most treatable when caught and addressed properly.
What causes sciatica
Sciatica is almost always caused by something compressing or irritating the sciatic nerve. The most common causes we see in patients from Excelsior and the Lake Minnetonka area:
Herniated or bulging disc — when a disc in the lower spine pushes against a nerve root
Piriformis syndrome — when the piriformis muscle in the glute tightens and compresses the nerve
Spinal stenosis — narrowing of the spinal canal, more common in patients over 50
SI joint dysfunction — when the joint connecting the spine to the pelvis isn't moving properly
Pregnancy — both from the baby's position pressing on the nerve and from hormonal changes loosening the ligaments around the pelvis
Prolonged sitting — especially with poor posture or a wallet in your back pocket (a real condition called "wallet sciatica")
Old injuries — that never fully resolved and have created compensatory patterns
Identifying which of these is causing your sciatica is the difference between months of frustration and a clear path to relief.
Common symptoms our patients describe
Sharp, shooting pain down one leg — often described as electric or burning
Pain that starts in the lower back or glute and travels down the leg
Numbness, tingling, or "pins and needles" in the leg or foot
Weakness in the leg, ankle, or foot
Pain that worsens with sitting, standing up from sitting, sneezing, or coughing
Difficulty walking or standing for long periods
Trouble finding a comfortable sleeping position — often relief on one side, agony on the other
How we treat sciatica
Our approach is comprehensive and tailored to the specific cause of your sciatica. Treatment typically includes:
Chiropractic adjustments — to restore proper spinal alignment and relieve nerve compression
Soft tissue work — targeted release of the glutes, piriformis, and hamstrings to take pressure off the nerve
Decompression therapy — particularly effective for disc-related sciatica; gently separates the vertebrae to reduce pressure on the nerve root
Cupping and e-stim — to reduce inflammation and break up muscle tension along the nerve path
Therapeutic exercise and rehab — to strengthen the core and glutes that stabilize the lower spine
Personalized at-home rehab plan — so you keep progressing between visits
Most patients with acute sciatica feel meaningful relief within 3–6 visits. For chronic or disc-related cases, we typically recommend a Foundation Care Plan of about 12 visits over 8–12 weeks — frequent visits early to calm the nerve down, then tapering as you stabilize.
Why our approach is different
Most chiropractors squeeze a sciatica patient into a 10–15 minute appointment and a quick adjustment. That's not enough time to actually figure out what's compressing your nerve, let alone treat it. Every new patient at Empower Chiropractic gets a full 45-minute exam, treatment the same day, and a personalized rehab plan to take home. As a cash-pay practice, we have the time and the freedom to use whatever combination of adjustments, soft tissue work, decompression, and rehab will actually fix the problem — not just mask it.
Contact Us
Empower Chiropractic & Wellness Center | Excelsior, MN | Serving Lake Minnetonka, Wayzata, Minnetonka, Shorewood, and the surrounding area.