#sciatic pain

They don't see the pain that shoots down the leg after sitting for too long.

They don't see the hesitation before getting out of bed.

They don't see the constant search for a comfortable position, only to realize there isn't one.

Walking becomes something to think about.

Driving becomes something to endure.

Sleeping through the night becomes a victory.

The hardest part is that the pain often comes and goes. Just when it seems to be improving, one long car ride, one afternoon at a desk, or one awkward movement can bring everything back again.

Living with piriformis syndrome isn't simply about a muscle. It can affect confidence, work, exercise, hobbies, and even the small moments that used to happen without a second thought.

Recovery rarely comes from doing more.

It comes from doing the right things consistently—understanding how the muscles, nerves, posture, movement patterns, and daily habits all work together. Healing often happens gradually, through patience, gentle progression, and learning to move without constantly fighting the body.

A small therapeutic poem

The body remembers.

Not to punish,

but to protect.

It whispers before it shouts,

asking only

to be listened to.

Healing is rarely loud.

It arrives

one easier step,

one deeper breath,

one peaceful night's sleep,

one hopeful tomorrow

at a time.

Trust the quiet progress.

Even when it feels invisible,

the body is learning

the way home.

That shooting pain down your leg is hard to ignore

If you have ever woken up with a sharp, burning pain that runs from your lower back down through your hip and into your leg, you already know what sciatica feels like. It’s not just uncomfortable — for a lot of people, it makes getting out of bed in the morning a genuine ordeal. Sitting at a desk becomes a problem. Long drives are miserable. Even standing in the kitchen making dinner can leave you wincing.

Sciatica is one of the most common reasons people walk through our door at Cayucos Chiropractic, and honestly, it’s one of the conditions we see the best results with. So if you’re dealing with it and you’re not sure where to turn, this is worth reading.

What exactly is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in your body. It starts in your lower spine, runs through your pelvis and down each leg, all the way to your feet. When something irritates or compresses that nerve — a misaligned vertebra, a herniated disc, tight piriformis muscle, or general inflammation in that area — you get the familiar sciatica symptoms: burning or shooting pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, usually on one side of the body.

It’s worth knowing that sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis in itself. That means the treatment that works depends entirely on what’s actually causing the compression. This is why getting a proper assessment matters so much. Taking painkillers can take the edge off, but it doesn’t touch the underlying cause, which is why so many people end up dealing with sciatica flare-ups for months or even years.

Why chiropractic care makes sense for sciatica

Chiropractic adjustments work directly on the spine. When a vertebra is out of alignment, it can place pressure on the surrounding nerves — including the sciatic nerve. By restoring proper alignment through targeted adjustments, we remove that pressure and give the nerve room to settle and heal.

This is not a one-size-fits-all process. Dr. Brooks assesses each patient individually to figure out exactly where the problem is coming from before any treatment begins. Depending on what’s going on, care might involve spinal adjustments, soft tissue work, flexion-distraction technique, or a combination. The goal is always to address the actual cause rather than chase the symptoms.

Most patients with sciatica notice some improvement within the first few visits. For some it’s gradual, for others it’s more immediate — it really does depend on how long the problem has been there and what’s driving it.

What about SoftWave Therapy?

For patients whose sciatica involves significant inflammation or soft tissue involvement, we sometimes recommend SoftWave Therapy alongside chiropractic care. SoftWave uses acoustic waves to stimulate healing at a cellular level — reducing inflammation, improving circulation, and helping tissues repair more effectively.

It’s drug-free, non-invasive, and the sessions are short — usually around 5 to 10 minutes. We have seen it work particularly well for patients who have tried other approaches without much luck. If you would like to know more about it, our SoftWave Therapy page has a detailed explanation of how it works.

Things that can make sciatica worse

A few things tend to aggravate sciatica that are worth being aware of. Prolonged sitting — especially with a wallet in your back pocket or a poorly set-up office chair — can put direct pressure on the sciatic nerve. Sleeping on a mattress that doesn’t support the lower back properly is another common issue. And sometimes people make the mistake of resting too much, when gentle movement is actually more helpful for recovery.

During your care at Cayucos Chiropractic, Dr. Brooks will talk you through specific exercises and lifestyle adjustments that support your recovery between visits. Small changes at home can make a real difference to how quickly you improve.

How long does it take to get better?

This is the question everyone asks, and the honest answer is that it varies. Acute sciatica that has come on suddenly can often respond quite quickly — sometimes within a few weeks of consistent care. Chronic sciatica that has been present for a long time usually requires more patience. We would rather give you a realistic picture upfront than make promises we cannot keep.

What we can say is that most of our patients with sciatica do see meaningful improvement through chiropractic care. We track your progress and adjust your care plan as things change, so you’re never just going through the motions.

You don’t have to keep putting up with it

Sciatica has a way of making people feel like they just have to manage it — that it’s something they’ll always deal with. That’s not always the case. Many people who come to us having tried everything else find that targeted chiropractic care finally makes a real difference.

Sitting hurts. Laying down is UNBEARABLE

I have a walking pad and a weighted hula hoop. All week i have been walking for HOURS at 1.5 mph or dancing around my living room with the hula hoop in an effort to 1) avoid sitting down and 2) try to strengthen my core to relieve pressure on my sciatic nerve.

Yesterday i finally slept without pain and i slept for 15 HOURS