Sciatica Treatment in St. Louis, MO

Sciatica is pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, from your lower back through your hip and buttocks and down each leg. It often occurs when the nerve is pinched, usually by a herniated disc or bone spur, causing inflammation, numbness, and pain.

Chiropractic adjustments aim to restore spinal alignment and take pressure off the nerve, allowing the body to heal naturally. Your plan will depend on your exam findings and may include muscle work, therapeutic exercise, and movement advice.

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ActiveSTL Chiropractic and Sports Rehab · 7225 Watson Road, St. Louis, MO 63119 · 314-553-9785

Our 5-Step Process for Sciatica

1. Assessment. Your first visit lasts up to 45 minutes. We find the true cause of your sciatica — evaluating your movement, posture, strength, and range of motion, along with your vitals and medical history.
2. Customized treatment plan. Before your first visit ends, we build your plan together: your goal in your own words, your phase of care (Pain Relief, Return to Activity, or Performance), a clear timeline, and homework to keep progress moving between visits.
3. Pain relief phase. Visits start more frequently while we work to calm your symptoms — with adjustments, muscle work, and targeted care.
4. Return to activity phase. As pain settles, visits become less frequent. We add rehab exercises and movement modifications so your progress sticks.
5. Performance phase. Fine-tuning and maintenance with a custom home exercise program and occasional adjustments to keep you moving well.

Frequently asked questions

What causes sciatica?

Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve is pinched or irritated, most often by a herniated disc or bone spur in the lower back. Spinal narrowing and tight muscles can also irritate the nerve. Your exam at ActiveSTL is what determines the cause in your case — treatment is built around that finding, not a one-size-fits-all plan.

How is sciatica different from general back pain?

General back pain usually stays in the back. Sciatica typically travels — pain, tingling, or numbness that runs from the lower back through the hip and buttock and down the leg, sometimes with weakness. That radiating pattern is what points to nerve irritation rather than just muscle or joint pain in the back itself.

How long does sciatica treatment take?

It depends on the cause and how long it’s been present. Many conditions at ActiveSTL are often resolved in 8–10 visits, and your timeline is set at your first visit after your exam. Some people improve sooner, and more involved disc cases can take longer — we’ll be specific about your plan before treatment starts, not promise a set number up front.