If you are living with sharp, radiating pain down your leg, numbness, or tingling that makes it hard to sit, work, or stay active, you may be dealing with sciatica. At Curo Chiropractic in SW Calgary, we focus on holistic, corrective chiropractic care to help relieve sciatica pain by improving spinal alignment, reducing nerve compression, and supporting long-term function. In this post, we explain what sciatica is, how chiropractic treatments may help, and how our Calgary chiropractic clinic approaches sciatica pain management with a whole-body, movement-focused plan.
Sciatica refers to pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through your hips, buttocks, and down each leg.
When this nerve is irritated or compressed, you may feel:
• Sharp, burning, or shooting pain from the lower back into the leg
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot
• Discomfort that worsens with sitting, bending, or prolonged standing
Common contributors include a herniated disc in the lumbar spine, spinal joint dysfunction, muscle tension, and postural strain that increases pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Many people with lumbosacral radiculopathy (nerve-related leg pain like sciatica) are prescribed medications. Some guidelines do not recommend any medications at all due to limited supporting evidence and instead suggest nonpharmacologic approaches.³ This uncertainty around medication choices, along with potential side effects, is one reason many Calgarians ask, “Can a chiropractor help sciatica?” and explore conservative, hands-on care options.
Chiropractic for sciatica focuses on restoring healthy movement in the lumbar spine, pelvis, and hips, which may reduce mechanical pressure on the sciatic nerve and improve function. At our clinic, we use a combination of spinal adjustment therapy, soft-tissue work, and lifestyle guidance to support sciatica pain relief.
A case report of disc-related sciatica described a patient with significant leg pain, weakness, and a recommendation for spinal decompression surgery who instead pursued a non-surgical, force-based spinal manipulation program. The plan included flexion-distraction spinal manipulation, traction, electrical muscle stimulation, infrared light therapy, and a home stretching and strengthening program, and the patient experienced a positive clinical outcome.² This case illustrates how carefully applied spinal manipulation, combined with supportive therapies and home care, can serve as a non-surgical option for some people with sciatica.²
At Curo Chiropractic, we take a whole-body, corrective approach to sciatica pain management. We do more than quick back adjustments; we assess how you move, sit, work, and train to understand why your sciatic nerve is under pressure.
Our care plans for sciatica may include:
• Chiropractic spinal manipulation and mobilization to improve spinal alignment and joint motion, which may reduce nerve compression and support lower back pain relief
• Soft-tissue and muscle tension work to address tight hip flexors, glutes, and hamstrings that can irritate the sciatic nerve
• Posture correction and ergonomic coaching to reduce ongoing strain from desk work, driving, or childcare
• Home-based strength and mobility exercises to help maintain progress and build stability around the lumbar spine and hips
If you are a new patient, a typical visit may include:
1. Comprehensive assessment – Review of symptoms, medical history, work setup, and activity level
2. Movement and posture analysis – Evaluation of standing, walking, bending, and sitting mechanics
3. Clear explanation of findings – Discussion of contributing factors such as disc irritation, joint restriction, or muscular imbalance
4. Individualized care plan – Spinal adjustments, traction-style techniques, soft-tissue work, and a progressive home exercise program
Learn more about the process for new patients here.
As a holistic chiropractic clinic, we may combine chiropractic care with other supportive therapies:
• Massage therapy to reduce muscle tension in the lower back, glutes, and legs
• Custom orthotics to support alignment and gait mechanics
• Holistic nutrition support to address inflammation and tissue recovery
This whole-body approach aims to support better movement and long-term function, not just symptom management.
Many people find that chiropractic care helps by improving spinal alignment, reducing mechanical irritation to the sciatic nerve, and addressing contributing factors such as muscle tension and posture. Case-based evidence suggests that specific spinal manipulation techniques, combined with home exercises, may provide non-surgical relief for some individuals.²
We use gentle spinal adjustments, flexion-distraction techniques, traction approaches, and targeted exercises to improve joint motion and spacing in the lumbar spine, which may help reduce nerve irritation.
Care begins with a thorough assessment. If conservative care is appropriate, techniques and forces are tailored to the individual, with careful monitoring throughout treatment.
If you are seeking sciatica pain relief in SW Calgary, we offer conservative, movement-focused care. Book an appointment today!
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