Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or compressed, often due to a bulging disc, spinal misalignment, muscle tightness in the lower back or hips, or joint dysfunction in the pelvis. The result can be pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates from the buttock down through the leg, sometimes reaching the foot.
Dr. Verg performs a detailed evaluation of the lumbar spine, pelvis, and surrounding musculature to find what's pressing on or irritating the nerve. Treatment typically includes gentle spinal adjustments to restore proper alignment and reduce nerve pressure, soft-tissue therapy to release tight muscles such as the piriformis, and a home stretching and strengthening program designed to ease symptoms and help prevent flare-ups.