Sciatica Treatment in Crofton, MD

Sciatica can cause sharp, burning, aching, tingling, numbness, or weakness that travels from the lower back or buttock into the hip, thigh, leg, or foot.

At Bay Area Wellness Group in Crofton, MD, Dr. Matthew Hecht and Dr. Daniel Kay provide conservative chiropractic and rehabilitative care for patients experiencing sciatica, radiating leg pain, low back pain, and nerve-related symptoms.

Because sciatica is a symptom rather than a single diagnosis, effective treatment begins with identifying the underlying cause. Our goal is to determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and create an individualized treatment plan focused on reducing irritation, improving spinal mobility, restoring function, and helping you return to normal daily activities.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica refers to pain or other symptoms that travel along the path of the sciatic nerve or the spinal nerves that contribute to it.

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body and travels from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg. When the nerve or one of its contributing spinal nerve roots becomes irritated, compressed, or inflamed, symptoms may develop anywhere along that pathway.

Sciatica commonly affects one side of the body, although symptoms can vary from person to person.

Common Symptoms of Sciatica

Patients with sciatica may experience:

• Low back pain
• Buttock pain
• Hip pain
• Pain traveling into the thigh or lower leg
• Burning or electrical sensations
• Numbness or tingling
• Pins-and-needles sensations
• Leg weakness
• Pain with prolonged sitting
• Pain with standing or walking
• Increased symptoms with bending or lifting
• Difficulty getting comfortable while sleeping

Some patients experience significant leg symptoms with very little low back pain.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica can have several potential causes. That is why determining the source of the symptoms is an important part of the evaluation.

Common contributing conditions may include:

• Lumbar disc herniation
• Bulging discs
• Degenerative disc disease
• Arthritic or degenerative changes in the lumbar spine
• Spinal joint dysfunction
• Narrowing around spinal nerves
• Muscular tension or imbalance
• Previous injuries
• Repetitive stress
• Poor movement patterns

Not every case of leg pain is true sciatica. Hip problems, muscular injuries, peripheral nerve irritation, and other conditions may cause similar symptoms.

For this reason, a proper examination is important before beginning treatment.

Chiropractic Evaluation for Sciatica

At Bay Area Wellness Group, your evaluation begins with a discussion of your symptoms, medical history, previous injuries, and the activities that aggravate or relieve your pain.

Depending on your individual presentation, the examination may include:

• Spinal range-of-motion testing
• Orthopedic testing
• Neurological testing
• Muscle strength evaluation
• Reflex testing
• Sensory testing
• Postural assessment
• Evaluation of spinal and pelvic mechanics
• Functional movement assessment

When clinically appropriate, imaging or additional medical evaluation may also be recommended.

The goal is to determine whether conservative chiropractic care is appropriate and to identify the structures most likely contributing to your symptoms.

Chiropractic Care for Sciatica

Treatment is based on each patient’s examination findings and individual needs.

Depending on your condition, care may include:

• Chiropractic adjustments
• Spinal mobilization
• Lumbar and pelvic treatment
• Therapeutic exercise
• Stretching and mobility exercises
• Core stabilization
• Rehabilitation
• Postural and movement recommendations
• Other supportive conservative therapies when appropriate

The purpose of care is not simply to temporarily reduce discomfort. We also work to improve spinal mechanics, mobility, strength, and function so that patients are better able to manage their condition over time.

Can a Herniated Disc Cause Sciatica?

Yes.

A herniated or bulging disc in the lumbar spine is one of the more common causes of sciatic-type symptoms.

When disc material irritates or places pressure on a nearby spinal nerve, pain may travel from the lower back into the buttock and leg. Patients may also experience numbness, tingling, burning, or weakness.

Because symptoms can vary significantly depending on which spinal nerve is affected, a careful examination is important.

Patients who want to learn more about disc-related conditions can also visit our Disc Herniation & Degenerative Disc Treatment page.

Can Chiropractic Care Help Sciatica?

Some patients with mechanically related sciatica respond well to conservative chiropractic and rehabilitative care.

Treatment may focus on improving movement in restricted areas of the spine and pelvis, reducing mechanical stress, improving muscular function, and addressing movement patterns that contribute to recurring symptoms.

The appropriate treatment depends on the underlying cause, severity of symptoms, neurological findings, and the patient’s overall health.

Not every patient with sciatica is a candidate for the same type of treatment, which is why our approach is individualized.

When Should Sciatica Be Evaluated?

Consider scheduling an evaluation if you have:

• Persistent pain traveling from your back or buttock into your leg
• Recurring episodes of sciatica
• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
• Difficulty sitting for prolonged periods
• Pain with standing or walking
• Symptoms that interfere with work, exercise, or sleep
• Low back pain accompanied by radiating leg symptoms

Earlier evaluation may help identify the source of the problem and determine whether conservative treatment is appropriate.

When Sciatica May Require Medical Referral

Certain symptoms require prompt medical evaluation rather than routine chiropractic care.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:

• New loss of bowel or bladder control
• Numbness in the groin or saddle region
• Rapidly progressing leg weakness
• Significant loss of coordination
• Severe symptoms following major trauma
• Fever or unexplained illness accompanying severe back pain

Our doctors evaluate patients for signs that may require additional testing, imaging, or referral to another healthcare provider.

Why Choose Bay Area Wellness Group for Sciatica Care?

Bay Area Wellness Group has been part of the Crofton community for many years, providing conservative chiropractic and rehabilitative care for patients with a wide variety of musculoskeletal conditions.

Dr. Matthew Hecht and Dr. Daniel Kay provide individualized care for patients with sciatica, low back pain, disc-related conditions, and other spinal complaints.

Our approach emphasizes:

• Individualized treatment plans
• Conservative care
• Improving function as well as symptoms
• Therapeutic exercise and rehabilitation
• Patient education
• Long-term mobility and movement

We want patients to understand their condition and take an active role in improving their health.

Sciatica Treatment in Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton & Surrounding Areas

Bay Area Wellness Group conveniently serves patients from Crofton, Gambrills, Odenton, Bowie, Millersville, Davidsonville, and surrounding Anne Arundel County communities.

If pain, numbness, tingling, or burning is traveling from your lower back or buttock into your leg, we can evaluate your condition and help determine whether chiropractic and rehabilitative care may be appropriate.

Schedule a Sciatica Evaluation in Crofton

You do not have to wait for sciatic pain to become severe before having it evaluated.

If you are experiencing sciatica, radiating leg pain, numbness, tingling, or persistent low back pain, contact Bay Area Wellness Group to schedule an evaluation.

Bay Area Wellness Group
2110 Priest Bridge Drive, Suite 6
Crofton, MD 21114
410-721-5050