Sciatica

Sciatica is the name for pain that travels along the sciatic nerve — from the lower back through the hip and down the back of the leg. It can show up as a sharp shooting pain, a dull ache, burning, numbness, or tingling, and it often gets worse with sitting, standing up, or coughing. At CoreHealth Wellness Center in Dallas, we treat the cause of the nerve irritation, not just the leg pain it produces.

What actually causes sciatica

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The most common drivers are a herniated or bulging disc pressing on a nerve root, spinal stenosis narrowing the space the nerve travels through, piriformis muscle tension compressing the nerve in the hip, and joint dysfunction in the lower spine or pelvis. Each cause responds to different care, which is why an accurate exam matters more than a generic protocol.

How we evaluate sciatica

Your first visit includes a detailed history and a focused physical exam — orthopedic and neurological tests, palpation of the lower spine and hips, and movement assessment to identify exactly where the nerve is being irritated. If the exam suggests something that needs imaging, we order it. The diagnosis drives the plan.

Sciatica treatment at CoreHealth

Disc-driven sciatica often responds to spinal decompression, precise adjustment, and mobility work. Piriformis-driven cases benefit from soft-tissue therapy and targeted stretching. Joint-driven cases improve with adjustment and corrective exercise. Most patients use a combination, and we re-evaluate at clear checkpoints so care follows real progress.

When to seek care

If leg pain, numbness, or tingling has lasted more than a few days — or keeps coming back — early evaluation prevents the pattern from becoming chronic. Call (214) 219-3300 or book online. We see sciatica patients from Oak Lawn, Highland Park, Uptown, and across Dallas.