Sciatica

Sharp Pain That Runs Down Your Leg

Reviewed by Dr. Dustin Dukart, DC

It doesn’t stay put — it starts in your low back or hip and shoots down toward your knee, sometimes further, and sitting or standing too long makes it worse either way. We see it often here in Saint Paul Park and the surrounding area. “Sciatica” is the word most people reach for, but it’s really just a description of where the pain travels, not what’s causing it.

Book Your Visit → or call (612) 314-9482

★★★★★

I live in Cottage Grove, MN and needed somewhere close. I sought care for my sciatic nerve pain in my low back. Dr. Dustin was very thorough and helped with my anxiety since this was my first chiropractic visit. My back is feeling much better and I am able to walk without compensating for the pain.

— Lindy K. · Google

We Test to Find the Actual Cause

“Sciatica” just means pain traveling down the leg — it doesn’t say what’s actually causing it. We test specifically to tell true nerve compression — most often from a herniated disc — apart from other causes that feel similar, like piriformis muscle irritation, referred pain from the SI joint, or the hip itself, because the right treatment depends on knowing which one it is.

Genuine nerve-root pain usually starts in the low back, so the exam covers that area too, even when the leg is what hurts most.

Evidence-Informed Care

There’s real evidence behind chiropractic care for genuine nerve-root involvement, though the research base here is smaller than for plain low back pain — we’ll tell you honestly what your exam actually shows, not just what fits a general script.

Ready When You Are

Most new patients are seen within a few days.

See all conditions we treat →

More reading: Common causes of leg pain from your back.

Book Your Visit → or call (612) 314-9482