Sciatica Treatment in New Iberia

Pain that travels from your lower back or buttock into your leg can make sitting, standing, walking, working, and even sleeping uncomfortable. If you are experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, or other symptoms traveling into your leg, you may be wondering whether sciatica is the cause—and what you should do next.

At Theriot Family Chiropractic Center in New Iberia, LA, we take the time to understand your symptoms, perform an appropriate examination, and determine what may be contributing to your pain. Our goal is to help you understand what is happening and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your situation.

What is Sciatica and What Causes It?

Sciatica describes pain or other symptoms that follow the path of the sciatic nerve. The sciatic nerve is formed by nerve roots in the lower spine and travels through the buttocks and down the leg.

Sciatica is often associated with irritation or compression of a nerve root in the lower back. A herniated disc or changes such as bone overgrowth can sometimes place pressure on these nerve roots. Other conditions can also produce symptoms that resemble sciatica, which is why an appropriate evaluation is important.

Sciatic symptoms can develop following an injury, but they can also appear gradually. Certain activities, prolonged sitting, repetitive lifting, or other factors may contribute to symptoms.

Common factors associated with sciatica include:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Changes related to the joints or bones of the lower spine
• Spinal narrowing
• Repetitive lifting or twisting
• Prolonged sitting
• Certain injuries
• Changes in movement or physical activity

Not every person with pain traveling into the leg has the same underlying problem. Sciatica is a description of symptoms, not necessarily a single diagnosis.

Sciatic symptoms can feel different from person to person. Some people experience primarily pain, while others notice numbness, tingling, or weakness.

Common symptoms can include:

• Pain in the lower back or buttock
• Pain traveling down one leg
• Sharp, shooting, burning, or electric-like pain
• Numbness or decreased sensation
• Tingling or “pins and needles”
• Pain that extends into the thigh, calf, or foot
• Leg or foot weakness
• Symptoms that become worse with prolonged sitting or certain movements

These symptoms can have several possible causes. An examination can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether chiropractic care is an appropriate option.

How We Evaluate Sciatica and Lower Back Pain

Every patient and every case of sciatica is different. At Theriot Family Chiropractic Center, we begin by listening to your symptoms and learning how they are affecting your daily life.

Your evaluation may include:

• Reviewing your symptoms and health history
• Assessing your range of motion and movement
• Checking strength, sensation, and reflexes when appropriate
• Performing orthopedic or neurological tests as needed
• Identifying areas that may be contributing to your symptoms

Our goal is to understand what may be contributing to your pain and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

If your symptoms indicate that another type of medical evaluation is needed, we’ll help you determine the appropriate next step.

When to Seek Care for Sciatica

Many cases of sciatica improve over time, but persistent, severe, worsening, or unusual symptoms should be evaluated by an appropriate healthcare professional.

You should seek medical attention if you are experiencing significant or worsening symptoms, particularly neurological changes such as increasing weakness or loss of sensation.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

• New loss of bladder or bowel control
• Difficulty urinating or inability to control urination
• Numbness around the groin, inner thighs, or “saddle” region
• Significant or rapidly worsening leg weakness
• Severe symptoms following significant trauma
• Other sudden or severe neurological changes

These symptoms can indicate a more serious problem requiring urgent medical evaluation.

If you are experiencing an emergency, seek emergency medical care rather than waiting for a chiropractic appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica

What does sciatica feel like?

Sciatica can feel like pain traveling from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Some people describe the sensation as sharp, burning, shooting, or electric-like. Numbness, tingling, or weakness may also occur.

How do I know if I have sciatica?

Pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg can be consistent with sciatica, but several conditions can cause similar symptoms. An appropriate examination can help determine what may be contributing to your symptoms.

Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some people experiencing low-back and leg symptoms, depending on the underlying problem and examination findings. Treatment may involve spinal manipulation or mobilization, exercise, movement recommendations, and other conservative approaches.

The goal is not to promise a specific outcome, but to determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for your individual situation.

How long does sciatica take to improve?

There is no single timeline for everyone. Recovery can depend on the underlying cause, severity and duration of symptoms, neurological findings, activity level, and other individual factors.

Many cases improve with time and conservative care, while persistent or severe symptoms may require additional evaluation or treatment.

Should I exercise if I have sciatica?

Staying appropriately active is generally preferable to prolonged inactivity, but the right activities depend on your symptoms and examination findings. Certain movements may temporarily aggravate symptoms, while appropriate movement and exercise may be part of a conservative care plan.

Your chiropractor can help determine what activities are appropriate for you.

Do I need an MRI for sciatica?

Imaging is not automatically necessary for every person with low-back or sciatic symptoms. Whether imaging or additional testing is appropriate depends on your history, examination findings, duration and severity of symptoms, and whether there are concerning signs.

If your symptoms suggest that additional evaluation is warranted, your healthcare provider can help determine the appropriate next step.

When is sciatica an emergency?

Seek immediate medical attention if you develop new bladder or bowel control problems, numbness in the saddle/groin region, significant or rapidly worsening weakness, or other serious neurological symptoms.

.