Sciatica and Disc-Related Pain
 

Relief for Low Back Pain, Leg Pain, Numbness, and Tingling
 

Sciatica and disc-related conditions can affect far more than the lower back. Symptoms may travel into the hip, buttock, thigh, calf, or foot and may include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, or reduced tolerance for sitting, standing, lifting, and exercise.
 

At Performance and Recovery Clinic, we evaluate how your spine, hips, nerves, muscles, and movement patterns may be contributing to your symptoms. Your care plan is then adapted to your examination findings, activity demands, goals, and response to treatment.
 

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What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes symptoms that follow the path of the sciatic nerve, which travels from the lower back through the buttock and into the leg.

It is a symptom pattern rather than a single diagnosis. Sciatic-type pain may be associated with irritation or sensitivity involving a lumbar nerve root, spinal disc, surrounding joints, or nearby soft tissues.

Common symptoms include:

• Low back or buttock pain

• Pain traveling into one leg

• Numbness or tingling

• Burning or electric sensations

• Leg or foot weakness

• Increased symptoms with sitting, bending, coughing, or lifting

Not every case of leg pain is caused by a herniated disc, which is why a careful examination is important.
 

What Is a Disc Herniation?

The discs between the spinal bones help absorb force and allow the spine to move. A disc herniation occurs when part of the softer inner disc material extends through or irritates the outer portion of the disc.

Some disc herniations cause no symptoms. Others may contribute to localized back pain, inflammation, nerve irritation, or radiating symptoms into an arm or leg.

Disc-related symptoms may include:

• Localized low back or neck pain

• Pain extending into the buttock, leg, shoulder, or arm

• Numbness or tingling

• Muscle weakness

• Difficulty bending, lifting, sitting, or changing positions

The severity of an imaging finding does not always match the severity of a patient’s symptoms. We evaluate the person and their function—not an MRI finding alone.
 

Common Causes of Sciatic and Disc-Related Symptoms

Symptoms may be influenced by one or more factors, including:

• Disc bulge or herniation

• Lumbar spinal stenosis

• Degenerative changes

• Joint irritation or restricted movement

• Repetitive bending, lifting, or rotation

• Prolonged sitting

• Reduced hip mobility

• Muscle guarding or altered movement patterns

• Previous injury

• Sudden increases in training or workload
   

Pain felt through the buttock or leg may also arise from the hip, sacroiliac region, muscles, or other peripheral nerves. Our examination helps determine which factors are most relevant.
 

How We Evaluate Sciatica and Disc-Related Pain

Your assessment may include:

• Health history and symptom review

• Neurological screening

• Orthopedic testing

• Strength and reflex testing

• Sensation and nerve-tension assessment

• Lumbar and hip mobility

• Movement and lifting patterns

• Review of available imaging or medical records
   

The goal is to identify the factors contributing to your symptoms and determine whether conservative care is appropriate.
 

Our Treatment Approach

Care may combine several strategies depending on your presentation.
 

Chiropractic Care and Joint Mobilization

Gentle adjustments or mobilization may be used to improve comfortable spinal, pelvic, and hip movement. Treatment style and intensity are adapted to your symptoms and tolerance.
 

Mechanical Traction

Mechanical traction may be used in selected cases to gently unload the lumbar spine and provide temporary relief from pain, stiffness, or nerve-related symptoms.
 

Traction is not appropriate for every disc condition and is recommended only after an examination.
 

Manual Therapy

Soft tissue techniques may help reduce protective muscle tension and improve movement around the lower back, hips, and pelvis.
 

Exercise Rehabilitation

Exercise is progressed according to the stage and behavior of your symptoms. Early care may focus on comfortable movement and symptom control before progressing toward strength, endurance, lifting tolerance, and return to activity.

Rehabilitation may include:

• Directional-preference exercises

• Core and trunk coordination

• Hip mobility and strength

• Nerve-mobility exercises when appropriate

• Progressive loading

• Lifting and movement retraining

• Return-to-sport progressions
   

Supportive Recovery Modalities

Laser therapy, PEMF, and other supportive modalities may be included when appropriate. These tools are used to support the overall plan rather than replace movement, rehabilitation, or appropriate medical evaluation.
 

The Performance and Recovery Method

01 — Assess

We determine how your symptoms behave and evaluate neurological function, spinal and hip mobility, movement patterns, and activity demands.

02 — Treat

We use appropriate manual care, chiropractic treatment, traction, and supportive therapies to reduce irritation and improve comfortable movement.

03 — Strengthen

Progressive rehabilitation helps rebuild strength, coordination, confidence, and tolerance for work, training, and daily activity.

04 — Maintain

Education, home exercises, periodic check-ins, and recovery resources help you manage flare-ups and maintain progress over time.
 

Returning to Activity

Our goal is not simply to reduce pain while you are lying on a treatment table. We want to help you return to the activities that matter to you.

Depending on your goals, treatment may focus on improving your ability to:

• Sit or drive comfortably

• Walk and climb stairs

• Lift at work or home

• Sleep without frequent interruption

• Return to the gym

• Ski or snowboard

• Run, hike, cycle, or golf

• Resume recreational and competitive sports
   

Your progression is based on function, symptom response, strength, and confidence—not pain alone.
 

When Additional Evaluation May Be Needed

Some symptoms require prompt medical evaluation. Seek urgent care if back or leg pain is accompanied by:

• New loss of bowel or bladder control

• Numbness around the groin or saddle region

• Rapidly progressing leg weakness

• Severe symptoms after significant trauma

• Fever, unexplained weight loss, or systemic illness

• Inability to walk or bear weight

• Pain that is severe and rapidly worsening

We may also recommend imaging or referral when examination findings suggest that additional evaluation would change the treatment plan.
 

Start With a Comprehensive Assessment

Sciatica and disc-related pain can present differently from one person to another. A proper evaluation helps determine what may be contributing to your symptoms and which combination of care, rehabilitation, or referral is most appropriate.
 

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Performance and Recovery Clinic
100 Elk Run Drive, Unit 220
Basalt, Colorado 81621

Serving Basalt, Carbondale, Aspen, Snowmass Village, and the Roaring Fork Valley.