Sciatica

If burning leg pain, tingling, or numbness keeps interrupting your day, understanding the cause is the first step. Our Charleston office evaluates whether your symptoms involve a spinal nerve, another source of pain, or a condition that needs additional medical care.

What is sciatica

Sciatica describes pain related to irritation of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that form it. Symptoms often begin in the lower back or buttock and travel into one leg, sometimes reaching the calf, foot, or toes.

The pain may feel sharp, burning, or electric. Some people also notice tingling, numbness, or weakness. You can have sciatica with very little back pain, and the term alone does not tell us what is causing the nerve irritation.

What causes sciatica

A herniated disc in the lower back is a common cause. Other causes include narrowing around the spinal nerves, called spinal stenosis, or changes in the position of a vertebra, called spondylolisthesis.

Occasionally, the sciatic nerve is irritated farther along its path through the buttock. Hip conditions, muscle pain, and other nerve problems can also produce similar symptoms. An examination helps distinguish these possibilities.

How do you evaluate sciatic pain

Dr. Gorski asks where your symptoms travel, when they started, and how they change with sitting, walking, bending, or coughing. We also discuss previous injuries, treatments you have tried, and the activities you want to resume.

Your examination may include spinal and hip movement, walking, strength, sensation, reflexes, and tests that assess nerve irritation. These findings help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate or further medical evaluation is needed.

If symptoms began after a collision, our approach to chiropractic care after a car accident also considers the injury history and any emergency evaluation you received. Bring previous imaging and treatment records if available.

Will I need an MRI for sciatica

An MRI is not necessary for every new episode. It may be appropriate when symptoms persist despite care, neurological findings are concerning, or the results could change treatment. Urgent symptoms can require earlier testing.

MRI can show discs and nerve roots in detail. Dr. Gorski considers any imaging findings alongside your symptoms and examination, because a disc change on a scan does not always explain the pain.

What treatment options are available

Many people with sciatica can begin with nonsurgical care. Your plan depends on the likely cause, the condition of the affected nerve, your health history, and your goals. Options may include:

• Chiropractic techniques, joint mobilization, or instrument-assisted adjustments when appropriate, combined with exercise and activity guidance.
• Soft-tissue treatment for associated muscle tension and connective tissue discomfort.
• Exercises tailored to your symptoms, with gradual progression in movement, strength, and walking tolerance.
• Practical guidance on work positions, lifting, and staying active within your tolerance.

Our office also offers Class 4 laser therapy, shockwave therapy, heat, and interferential current therapy. Laser and shockwave may be discussed for selected accompanying soft-tissue complaints. Heat may provide temporary comfort, while interferential current uses electrical stimulation for symptom management.

Laser therapy may help reduce pain and support healing in certain muscle and connective tissue conditions, making it a useful addition to an individualized care plan. Treatment is noninvasive, with settings selected for your condition and protective measures used for safety. Dr. Gorski evaluates whether laser fits your needs and monitors your response, with the goal of helping you move more comfortably and return to daily activities.

Can spinal decompression help sciatica

Spinal decompression therapy uses a motorized table to apply controlled traction to the spine. Research has not established consistent benefit for sciatica, and it cannot be promised to repair a disc or prevent surgery.

If decompression is considered, Dr. Gorski discusses its limitations and alternatives and monitors your response. Worsening nerve symptoms call for reassessment rather than continuing the same treatment.

How long does sciatica take to improve

Some episodes improve over several weeks; others take longer or recur. Recovery depends on the cause, symptom severity, and whether there is ongoing nerve involvement. A fixed number of visits cannot be promised to resolve every case.

We track changes in leg pain, sensation, strength, and everyday function. Sitting through a meal, walking farther, or sleeping more comfortably can help show whether the plan is useful. New weakness or spreading numbness needs reassessment even if pain has decreased.

What if I need another specialist

Persistent disabling pain, worsening weakness, or a lack of meaningful progress may require additional testing or specialist care. Depending on your findings, Dr. Gorski coordinates with physical therapy, primary care, pain management, neurology, orthopedic spine specialists, or neurosurgery.

Medication, injections, or surgery may be appropriate for some patients. We help you understand when another provider should be involved.

Schedule a sciatica evaluation in Charleston

Elite Family Chiropractic is located at 1662 Savannah Highway, Suite 115, in West Ashley. We welcome patients from Charleston, Johns Island, James Island, and surrounding communities.

Call 843-892-5671 or use Book Online to schedule an evaluation. We will discuss what your symptoms and examination suggest and the next step in your care.