Sciatica Pain | Why It Happens and How to Fix It in Westminster, CO

If sciatica is giving you that sharp jolt down your leg or a nagging ache that flares with running, lifting, or sitting too long, it can turn your active life into a challenge. I've been treating this at Westy Sports Chiro in Westminster, CO, for over a decade. As a sports chiropractor and former strength coach, I've helped active adults from runners and gym enthusiasts to rec league players and busy parents. Sciatica is a common complaint in my office, and it can sideline you from workouts or everyday tasks.

You've probably tried heat packs, rest, or stretches, but if the pain keeps coming back, often with numbness, burning, or weakness, it's usually because the root causes aren't fully addressed. In my practice, I focus on pinpointing those triggers, whether from a sudden injury or chronic buildup. The good news is recurring sciatica can be resolved for good so you can get back to moving freely. In this post, I'll break down the types of sciatica I see, detail the main causes with specifics on how they develop and cause symptoms (based on patterns from my exams), and share how I evaluate and treat it. For more on conditions we handle, check our Conditions page.

Common Types of Sciatica I See in My Office

Sciatica isn't one-size-fits-all; it varies based on your lifestyle, activities, and duration. In my experience, it sorts into these categories:

• Chronic Sciatica from Overuse or Habits: This develops gradually, often from prolonged sitting, stress, or repetitive motions like running on uneven surfaces. It feels like a persistent burn, ache, or tightness down the leg, worsening at night or with extended positions. I see this frequently in office workers or endurance athletes with muscle imbalances.
• Acute Sciatica from Injury or Strain: This strikes suddenly, like after a heavy lift, twist, or slip. It's typically a sharp, electric pain with movement, possibly accompanied by numbness, tingling, or muscle weakness in the leg or foot. Common in weightlifters or folks who've had a minor trauma.
• Referred Sciatica-Like Pain: Not always true nerve compression; symptoms can mimic sciatica from issues like hip joints or spinal referrals without direct sciatic involvement. This shows as vague leg discomfort or weakness, fooling people into self-diagnosing sciatica when it's something else.

When it's recurring, there's usually specific nerve irritation at play. Let's dive into the causes, including what they are, how they irritate the sciatic nerve, typical symptoms, and why they occur, based on what I commonly diagnose with hands-on and movement-based evaluations.

Specific Causes of Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve or its roots are compressed or irritated, leading to radiating pain. The nerve originates from the low back, travels through the pelvis, and branches down the legs. In my exams, I use hands-on assessments and movement evaluations to pinpoint the source. Here's what I often uncover, with details on mechanisms:

1. Lumbar Disc Herniation or Bulge: A common cause where a disc's inner material pushes out, compressing nerve roots in the low back. This triggers inflammation and pain signals along the nerve. Symptoms: Sharp, shooting pain from the buttock to the foot, worse with bending or pressure increases like coughing, plus numbness or foot weakness if severe. How it happens: From sudden heavy lifting or twisting, or gradual wear in those who sit a lot. Risk factors: Poor form during activities or extra body weight. Untreated, it can lead to ongoing sensitivity.
2. Spinal Nerve Irritation or Pinching (Radiculopathy): Nerve roots get pinched by bone growths, thickened tissues, or inflammation without a full disc issue. This causes irritation or pressure on the nerve. Symptoms: Burning or electric sensations down the leg, often one-sided, with possible changes in strength or reflexes. Causes: From spine wear over time, trauma, or repetitive back motions.
3. Piriformis Syndrome: The piriformis muscle in the buttock tightens, compressing the sciatic nerve as it passes nearby. This leads to local inflammation. Symptoms: Deep buttock pain with leg referral, worsening with sitting, driving, or stairs; often more aching than shooting. How it develops: From overuse like running, trauma such as falls, or muscle imbalances. Risk factors: Weak glutes causing compensation, pregnancy, or desk jobs.
4. Spinal Stenosis: Narrowing of the spinal spaces pinches the nerve roots. This causes pain with activity that eases when bending forward to open space. Symptoms: Cramping or heaviness in the legs after walking or standing, with possible balance issues if advanced. Causes: Age-related changes, naturally narrow spaces, or curvature. Common in older adults but seen earlier in those with repetitive impact.
5. Referred Pain or Other Mimickers: Not true sciatica but similar—SI joint problems inflame nearby tissues referring pain down the leg, or muscle knots mimic nerve symptoms. Symptoms: Vague ache without a clear path, no weakness. How it happens: From joint instability, arthritis, or imbalances from prior injuries. Risk factors: Poor movement patterns.

These causes interconnect with biomechanics that sustain irritation, like poor patterns inflaming the nerve over time.

The Biomechanical "Why" Behind the Recurrence

After pinpointing the cause, I investigate recurrence factors. Sciatica links to the kinetic chain; ignoring that perpetuates it. Here are main elements I check and address:

1. Hip Instability: Weak glutes or core don't support the pelvis, stressing the nerve path and worsening piriformis or stenosis. Common in runners. I test stability with movement; fix with respiration retraining and stability exercises.
2. Fascial Adhesions: Sticky tissues around the nerve or muscles from overuse limit mobility, maintaining compression in herniations or syndrome. I break them with a variety of manual therapy techniques.
3. Core Weakness: Weak abs shift stress to the spine, worsening disc or stenosis pressure. From sedentary habits. Build with progressive exercise.
4. Spinal Mobility Loss: Stiff lumbar segments compress roots; common in lifters. Adjustments and McKenzie restore range.
5. Gait Imbalances: Altered walking from pain or foot issues irritates the nerve chronically. Analyze and correct with functional rehabilitation.

Busting Common Myths About Sciatica Treatment

From my experience, here's the reality.

Myth: Surgery Is Inevitable for Sciatica.
Truth: Most resolve without it; conservative care like McKenzie and functional rehabilitation works first.

Myth: Bed Rest Is Best.
Truth: Prolongs recovery; early movement helps more.

Myth: It's Always a Disc Problem.
Truth: Could be piriformis or stenosis; accurate diagnosis matters.

Myth: Pain Means Permanent Damage.
Truth: Most is inflammatory or Biomechanical; proper care reverses it.

Myth: Exercise Worsens It.
Truth: Targeted rehab strengthens and prevents; avoidance weakens.

How I Approach Fixing Sciatica at Westy Sports Chiro

Straightforward, patient-focused care.

• First Visit: Discuss your history, then thorough exam: hands-on assessments, strength checks, movement evaluations for causes like discs or piriformis.
• Tailored Treatment: Based on findings, we might use dry needling, myofascial release, DNS, and adjustments to address the issues. For athletes, I include form tweaks.
• Follow-Ups: 1-2 weekly initially, hands-on plus home routines. Relief often in weeks.
• Maintenance: Monthly to avoid flares, especially during training.

FAQs on Recurring Sciatica

Why with stress?
-Increases muscle tension like piriformis; relaxation techniques help.

Can chiro help stenosis sciatica?
-Yes, with adjustments to open space.

How long for recovery?
-Typically weeks with consistent care.

Safe for runners?
-Yes, customized for performance.

Disc vs. Piriformis?
-Disc is spinal compression; piriformis muscle—movement evaluations differentiate.

Untreated lead to damage?
-Can cause ongoing nerve issues if ignored.