Sciatica Treatment in Beverly Hills
Sciatica pain can be frustrating, exhausting, and limiting. When pain shoots from your lower back into your leg, even simple movements can feel overwhelming.
Many patients come to Elite Chiropractic Beverly Hills feeling unsure why the pain started or why it keeps returning. Dr. Jamie Mahtaban, DC, and Dr. Yuliya Gruppina, DC, take the time to understand what is irritating your sciatic nerve and how it is affecting your daily life.
Our approach focuses on gentle care that supports your body’s natural ability to heal, improves your movement, and helps you feel more confident as you get back to normal activities. Your first visit is about listening, understanding your symptoms, and creating a clear plan forward.
Call 310-692-4469 to schedule your complimentary consultation.
Symptoms of Sciatica Nerve Pain
Sciatica pain typically feels like sharp, shooting pain that travels down a specific area of the leg. The pain usually goes into the glute, the side of the leg, and sometimes below the knee or into the ankle. It can also come with numbness and tingling.
What Causes Sciatica Pain
Sciatica simply means something is affecting the sciatic nerve. One of the main causes of sciatica pain is a disc bulge or disc herniation that compresses the sciatic nerve root going down the leg.
Sciatica does not only come from a disc bulge. It can also come from very tight muscles around the nerve that compress it. That is why it is important to get diagnosed correctly and find out whether the pain is coming from a disc or from a muscle.
How We Diagnose Sciatica
When a patient comes in with sciatica nerve pain, we start with a clinical evaluation and physical exam. Our goal is to determine where the compression is occurring through testing.
The evaluation may include:
- Nerve testing to check sensation and function
- Nerve traction testing to identify nerve compression
- Imaging if appropriate
Depending on the case, an MRI may go hand in hand with the diagnosis.
Sciatica Treatment Plan
The treatment plan depends on what is causing the sciatica. If sciatica is caused by nerve root compression from a disc bulge or herniation, the golden standard currently is the spinal decompression procedure.
Treatment may also include heat and light therapy in the low back area to make the body more flexible and help it loosen up. Then, we make the patient lie on the decompression table. Depending on where the disc is, we set specific parameters. The table opens up the disc space and allows nutrients, oxygen, and water to nourish the disc. This helps hydrate the disc and take pressure off the nerve.
There is also physical therapy involved, often in the form of core activation. We also work on sitting properly, bending properly, and lifting properly.
Many people lift, stand up, or pick up things incorrectly. Improving movement patterns can reduce a significant amount of pain. A patient can receive all the treatment in the world, but if no one educated them about how they are moving or their ergonomics, they may continue to be in pain.
What Happens If Sciatica Is Not Treated
In extreme cases, if sciatica is caused by a disc or keeps getting worse, it can lead to a condition called cauda equina syndrome. This can involve loss of bowel and bladder function.
If someone suffers from sciatica for a long time and does not treat it, the sciatic nerve can slowly lose function. Depending on how severely the nerve is compressed and for how long, the person can even lose function in the foot.
Long-term disability can also come with sciatica. It can make it difficult to walk, lift or carry things, work effectively, and play sports.
Sciatica Patient Case Study
Sciatic Nerve Pain Improvement Using Spinal Decompression
Chief Complaint: A patient presented in his late 30s, a pilot, who sat for long periods during flights. He started having difficulty sitting during plane rides. It was getting harder for him to work.
Diagnosis: Based on his exam, disc compression was suspected. He was sent for an MRI, and the MRI showed disc compression. Treatment included decompression for that area.
A posture evaluation also showed that his rib cage was shifted. Exercises were started to help realign his body. If the body is not in line, it can put pressure on the disc. Decompression was also suggested as it can help relieve pressure from the disc. In his case, a major part of the issue was the way he was sitting.
Treatment: He was taught to sit and move in a good posture. He was advised to lift properly. We also recommended exercises to strengthen his core and maintain proper alignment.
Outcome: Within three visits, his pain improved by about 90 percent with decompression and other therapies. That result is not typical for everyone. Sometimes it takes 12 visits or 15 visits.
In his case, he followed the treatment recommendations closely and saw results almost immediately. He also came in soon after the injury, which made the condition easier to treat.
Sciatica Patient Testimonials & Reviews
Book an Appointment for Sciatica Treatment
If sciatic pain is interfering with your daily life, a consultation can help you better understand your condition and options. Our team is here to listen and guide you through your next steps.
Call us at (310) 692-4469 or book online using the booking tool below:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can sciatica go away without treatment?
Mild cases may improve, but ongoing or recurrent sciatica often requires treatment to address the underlying cause.
How long does sciatica treatment take?
Recovery time varies based on severity, cause, and response to care.
Is chiropractic care effective for sciatica?
Chiropractic care can help reduce nerve pressure by improving spinal alignment and movement.
Does sciatica treatment hurt?
Sciatica treatment is designed to be gentle and comfortable. Most patients describe the care as relieving rather than painful, and techniques are always adjusted to your comfort level and symptoms.
Will sciatica come back after treatment?
Preventive care and posture guidance help reduce the risk of recurrence.
What are the common causes of sciatica?
Common causes of sciatica include:
- Herniated or bulging discs
• Degenerative disc changes
• Spinal joint dysfunction
• Muscle imbalance or tightness
• Prolonged sitting or repetitive strain
• Previous lower back injuries
Identifying the cause is essential for effective treatment.
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