Sciatica: leg pain from the low back, explained

By Dr. Jeremiah Carlson, chiropractic physician · Jacksonville, FL · Reviewed Nov 2026

Short answer: Sciatica is pain that travels from the low back or buttock down the back of the leg, often with tingling or numbness, usually from irritation of a lumbar nerve root, for example by a disc herniation. Many people improve with conservative care over weeks to a few months. New leg weakness, numbness in the groin, or bladder or bowel changes need emergency care.

Common causes

A herniated or bulging lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root
Narrowing around the nerves (spinal stenosis), more common after age 50
Less often, other spinal conditions. Buttock pain from tight hip muscles (sometimes called “piriformis syndrome”) can feel similar.

What the research says

The NICE guideline for low back pain with sciatica recommends exercise and says manual therapy (manipulation, mobilization, or soft-tissue techniques) can be considered as part of a treatment package that includes exercise. Research on spinal manipulation specifically for sciatica is more limited than for general low back pain, so we set clear goals and re-check your progress. If symptoms aren’t improving, or nerve signs are worsening, we refer you for imaging and to a medical specialist.

Day-to-day tips

Keep walking in short, comfortable bouts.
Avoid long periods of sitting. Stand up and move every 30–45 minutes.
Note which positions ease the leg pain and tell us at your visit.

How we approach it at our clinic

Talk and exam. Dr. Carlson takes your history and checks posture, range of motion, reflexes, strength, sensation, and orthopedic tests.
Imaging only if it’s needed. We don’t take X-rays in our office. If your exam shows you need X-rays, an MRI, or a medical specialist, we refer you out and help coordinate it.
A plan in plain English: what we found, what we recommend, how often, and how we’ll measure progress.
Care that fits you, which may include chiropractic adjustments (manipulation or gentler mobilization), chiropractic physiotherapy (corrective exercise), home exercises, lifestyle and workstation advice, and, when appropriate, acupuncture, dry needling, Graston, cupping, laser therapy, or massage therapy.

Get emergency care (911 or ER) if you have: new weakness in an arm or leg, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, back pain with fever or unexplained weight loss, or pain after a major fall or crash with numbness or weakness. These can signal problems that need urgent medical care, not chiropractic care first.

Questions people ask

Can a chiropractor fix sciatica?

No one can promise a fix. Many people with sciatica improve with conservative care such as exercise and manual therapy. We monitor your nerve signs and refer you promptly if surgery or injections need to be considered.

How long does sciatica last?

It varies. Many cases improve over several weeks; some take months. Worsening weakness or numbness should be evaluated right away.

Is sciatica the same as a pinched nerve?

Sciatica is a type of pinched or irritated nerve in the low back. A pinched nerve in the neck (cervical radiculopathy) affects the arm instead.

Want Dr. Carlson to take a look?

Call our Southside clinic or request a call back. If you were in a car crash, take the 60-second check first.

📞 Call 904-619-2703 60-second crash check