What Is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower spine through the buttock and down each leg. When this nerve is compressed or irritated — typically by a herniated disc, bone spur, or tight piriformis muscle — it causes the characteristic shooting, burning, or electric pain known as sciatica.
Common symptoms of sciatica include:
- Sharp, shooting pain from the lower back into the buttock and leg
- Burning or electric pain running down one leg (rarely both)
- Numbness or tingling in the leg, foot, or toes
- Muscle weakness in the affected leg
- Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting — a common complaint in Pittsburgh's office and tech workforce
- Pain that improves with walking or movement
Sciatica Treatment at Pittsburgh Physical Medicine
The goal of sciatica treatment is to relieve compression on the sciatic nerve and address the underlying cause — whether that's a herniated disc, joint dysfunction, or muscular tightness. Our approach may include:
- Chiropractic spinal adjustment — to restore proper alignment and reduce disc pressure on the nerve
- Lumbar decompression techniques — gentle traction-based methods to create space for the nerve
- Piriformis release and soft tissue work — for sciatica caused by piriformis syndrome
- Orthopedic manual therapy — Dr. Crockatt's hands-on approach to lumbar and pelvic dysfunction
- Neural mobilization techniques — to restore normal sciatic nerve movement through the tissues
- Core stabilization and corrective exercise — to prevent recurrence by strengthening lumbar support
Can Sciatica Be Treated Without Surgery?
The vast majority of sciatica cases — including those caused by disc herniation — respond excellently to conservative chiropractic and physical therapy treatment. Surgery is rarely necessary and is typically only considered after a full trial of conservative care has failed. At Pittsburgh Physical Medicine, we have helped hundreds of Pittsburgh patients resolve their sciatica entirely through our coordinated chiropractic and PT approach.
Serving sciatica patients from Shadyside, Bloomfield, Oakland, Lawrenceville, Highland Park, and across the Pittsburgh East End.