Sciatica Treatment
Shooting pain down the back of your leg, numbness, that electric jolt when you move wrong — sciatica is unmistakable. I find where the nerve is actually being pinched and release it.
What’s Causing Your Sciatica
True sciatica means the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed — but where varies. It can be a herniated disc pressing the nerve root at the spine, or piriformis syndrome where a tight buttock muscle strangles the nerve further down. The treatment is completely different depending on which one it is, which is why proper diagnosis matters.
Mimics are common: SI joint dysfunction, hamstring tendinopathy, and gluteal trigger points can all fake sciatica. I sort out what’s actually going on before treating.
How I Treat Sciatica
I run orthopedic and neurological tests to determine whether your sciatica is spinal (disc/stenosis) or peripheral (piriformis/muscular) in origin. That distinction drives everything — the wrong treatment for the wrong cause wastes your time and money.
Acupuncture for Sciatica
For piriformis-type sciatica, orthopedic acupuncture directly into the piriformis and deep gluteal muscles can release the nerve compression fast — often within a few sessions. For disc-related sciatica, I work the paraspinal muscles to reduce guarding, improve segmental mobility, and calm the irritated nerve root.
Functional Medicine for Sciatica
Nerve pain is inflammatory pain. I address the systemic inflammation keeping nerves hypersensitive — gut health, blood sugar regulation, key nutrients for nerve repair (B vitamins, alpha-lipoic acid). Less inflammation means less nerve irritability and faster healing.
Supplements I often suggest
For sciatica, these are the supplements I suggest most often in my practice:
- Inflammatone (Designs for Health) — Herbs, nutrients, and enzymes that help modulate the inflammatory response.
- Turmero Active (Apex Energetics) — High-absorption liquid curcumin for joint comfort.
- OmegAvail Hi-Po Fish Oil (Designs for Health) — 1,600 mg EPA/DHA per serving with lipase for absorption — no fishy aftertaste.
See all the supplements I recommend →
I may earn a margin on dispensary orders. If you take prescription medications, check with your doctor before starting any new supplement.
Let’s Fix Your Sciatica
Sciatica responds well to the right treatment. Book a free intro call and tell me what you’re feeling.