Sciatica Care in Jacksonville
Sciatica can turn everyday movements like sitting, standing, or taking a step into a reminder that something isn’t right. When pain travels from the low back or hip into the leg, even familiar activities can become harder to navigate.
When Nerve Compression Sends Pain Down the Leg
Sciatica is radiating pain caused by compression of a nerve somewhere along its path, whether at the nerve root, within the nerve plexus, or farther along.
Often, the leg pain is a downstream signal of a biomechanical problem affecting the spine. A disc that isn’t moving normally, muscular tension, or another source of nerve compression may all contribute to the symptoms.
What Can Set Sciatica Off
Several patterns commonly show up in people with sciatica:
- A disc that has lost normal motion
- Prolonged sitting and sustained postures
- Repetitive rotation during activities such as golf
- Previous injuries that altered spinal biomechanics
- Muscle guarding around an irritated nerve
For active patients, the activity that causes a flare isn’t necessarily the underlying cause. A round of golf or another repetitive activity may simply expose a biomechanical problem that was already developing. Dr. Scheets looks for what isn’t moving properly rather than assuming the activity itself is responsible.
How Sciatica Tends to Show Up
Sciatica differs from general back pain because symptoms travel. You may notice a sharp or burning sensation extending from the low back or hip into the leg, along with numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Our chiropractor describes pain as one of the body’s ways of communicating that something needs attention. Becoming accustomed to low-grade symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean the underlying problem has resolved. The longer altered movement and nerve irritation continue, the longer it may take to reverse them.
Hands-On Flexion-Distraction to Find the Source
Duval Spine & Rehab uses flexion-distraction with Dr. Scheets’ hands directly contacting the patient at individual spinal levels rather than relying solely on an automated table.
During the technique, patient feedback helps identify where symptoms radiate and where muscles are tightening to protect an irritated area. We can then focus more closely on the level that appears to be contributing to the problem.
Flexion-distraction helps restore disc movement while creating negative pressure within the disc, which may reduce pressure on the nerve root. Stretching exercises may also be used in the office and at home to continue progress between visits.
A Gentler Start for Irritated Nerves
Sciatica can be extremely sensitive, so technique selection begins with a thorough history, consultation, and evaluation.
When symptoms are highly irritated, our chiropractor starts gently and watches how the patient responds. Depending on what he finds, care may involve manual methods, Activator Methods®, ArthroStim®, or other lower-force techniques. The approach can be adjusted as the patient’s response becomes clearer.
When Leg Pain Continues After Surgery
Persistent sciatic pain after a microdiscectomy or laminectomy may mean the operated level wasn’t the only source of nerve irritation.
Rather than relying solely on the original MRI, Dr. Scheets examines individual spinal segments and functional movement patterns. In some cases, nerve compression may also originate outside the surgical level, such as from muscular involvement farther along the nerve pathway.
This functional evaluation can also be valuable for patients with complicated histories involving previous injuries, injections, medication, or surgical consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve had sciatica for years and mostly gotten used to it. Is that a problem?
My sciatica flares easily. Can care be adjusted for me?
I had back surgery but still have significant leg pain. Can chiropractic care still be considered?
Get Back to Moving Without Planning Around Sciatica
Stop structuring your day around the next flare. Contact Duval Spine & Rehab today and take the first step toward relief.
