Sciatica Treatment Oakland CA

Sciatica is one of the most common — and most disruptive — causes of low back and leg pain. If you’re dealing with sharp, burning, or electric pain that travels from your lower back or hip down one leg, sciatica may be the reason.

At Riverstone Chiropractic in Oakland, CA, we provide individualized sciatica treatment that focuses on why the sciatic nerve is irritated and how to help your body heal in a way that lasts.

What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica is not a condition by itself. It’s a pattern of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve — the largest nerve in the body.

Definition of Sciatica

Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, usually affecting one side of the body.

You may be feeling confused, irritated, or frustrated with your diagnosis, and guess what?  Your feelings are justified!  Very often, a patient will walk in my door and tell me they were diagnosed by their medical doctor with sciatica, and were told to just rest until it goes away!  Either that, or they were prescribed pain medications!

The word “sciatica” is nothing more than a cluster of symptoms.  It is not a precise definition of your problem.   It does not provide you with any new information!  If you have low back pain, nerve pain that travels down your leg, and/or tingling and numbness in your leg, you have sciatica.  True sciatica is caused by irritation to the sciatic nerve where it originates from nerve roots in the lumbar spine (low back).  Any other irritation along the length of the nerve, even though it might mimic the symptoms of sciatica, is not true sciatica!

If I walked into my kitchen one morning and stepped in a puddle of water, looked around, and noticed the entire floor was wet, bubbling up, and debris was floating around, I’d call that a mess.  But defining this scenario as a mess doesn’t get me any closer to knowing how to fix it (or prevent it from happening again).  Sure, I can mop up the water and sweep up the debris (erase the symptoms), but I need to play detective to find the cause of the mess.  Has the dishwasher sprung a leak?  Does the ceiling have a hole in it?  Did the washer overflow?  A sane person wouldn’t spend money to try to fix their dishwasher, if there were an obvious hole in the ceiling or roof!  Similarly, it doesn’t make sense to jump to conclusions that the cause of your sciatica is a disc problem in your low back.  It’s difficult to prescribe the correct treatment if we’ve failed to obtain an accurate diagnosis via orthopedic exam, palpation, and diagnostic imaging (if indicated during the exam).  The most common causes of sciatica are listed in the next section.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica can be caused by several underlying issues, including:

1.  Disc herniation or bulge (usually due to micro trauma that accumulates causing a weak area prone to damage from a stressful event (a heavy lift, a strong sneeze, a quick turn).  The “squishy” material in the center of the disc gets squeezed towards the back of the disc, where it comes in close contact with the nerve roots.)

2.  Piriformis syndrome (through repetitive motion or overuse, our overly tight hip flexors reciprocally inhibit (“turn off”) our large gluteus muscles.  Since our bodies are so amazing in their ability to adapt to change, the smaller and less efficient muscles in the area (such as the piriformis) take over in an attempt to compensate for the actions the glutes are supposed to perform (one of those actions being controlling internal/external rotation of the hip).  With this new abnormal and excessive motion, the smaller muscles build up excess tension, friction, and pressure.  This creates a hypoxic condition, meaning that those muscles receive less than normal blood flow, which causes inflammation and adhesions to develop.  It’s those adhesions that limit movement, cause pain, and cause irritation to the sciatic nerve, because guess what, that nerve runs directly under (and in some cases through) the piriformis muscle!

3.  Gemellus syndrome (the lesser known sister of piriformis syndrome, the superior gemellus is a small muscle that rotates the hip.  It may become inflamed and develop adhesions for the same reasons that the piriformis muscle does, and cause similar irritation to the sciatic nerve).

4.  Entrapment in the high hamstrings (this syndrome doesn’t even get a name of it’s own, but it is a possible entrapment site of the nerve.  Same principle applies here, muscles get overused or overworked, biomechanics are thrown off, wrong muscles kick in to help us get from point A to point B, and inflammation and adhesions develop in those muscles, causing irritation to the nerve.

5.  Entrapment between adductor magnus and hamstrings (again, no special name is given to this syndrome, but same idea as in  #2-#4 above.

6.  Spinal stenosis (a narrowing of the central spinal canal due to degenerative changes, an anteriorly-slipped vertebrae, or disc material impinging on the canal).

7. Pregnancy (the weight of the fetus can put pressure on the sciatic nerve, and the symptoms usually resolve once the baby is born).

8. Other (tumors pressing directly on the spinal cord, or direct trauma to the spine such as falling from a horse).

Once we’ve isolated the cause(s) of sciatica, only then should we begin treatment.

Sciatica often overlaps with other low back conditions. You can explore related care on our pages about low back pain, herniated discs, and pinched nerves.

Who This Page Is For

This page is for people in Oakland and the East Bay who:

• Have been diagnosed with sciatica
• Have low back pain that radiates into one leg
• Feel nerve pain when sitting, driving, or bending
• Have tried stretching, rest, or medication without lasting relief
• Want conservative, non-surgical care
• Aren’t sure what’s actually causing their symptoms

If you’re unsure whether your pain is truly sciatica or another type of low back issue, this page will help clarify the difference.

Signs and Symptoms of Sciatica

Sciatica symptoms can vary, but commonly include:

• Sharp, burning, or electric pain down one leg
• Pain that worsens with sitting or prolonged standing
• Tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
• Weakness in the hip, thigh, or ankle
• Low back pain that radiates downward

Sciatica typically affects one side, though symptoms can change over time.

Types of Sciatica

Not all sciatica is the same. Identifying the type helps guide treatment.

Disc-Related Sciatica

Caused by disc bulges or herniations that irritate a nerve root as it exits the spine.
Related page: Herniated Disc Treatment

Joint or Mechanical Sciatica

Occurs when restricted motion or irritation in the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joint, or pelvis affects the nerve.

Muscle-Related Sciatica

Often involves deep hip muscles (such as the piriformis) compressing the sciatic nerve. Stretching alone is rarely enough.

Pregnancy or Postpartum Sciatica

Changes in pelvic mechanics, ligament laxity, and load can contribute to sciatic symptoms during or after pregnancy.

Conditions That Commonly Cause Sciatica

Sciatica is usually a symptom of another issue. At Riverstone Chiropractic, we commonly treat sciatica related to:

• Low back pain
• Herniated or bulging discs
• Pinched nerves
• Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
• Hip mobility and stability issues

Each of these conditions requires a slightly different approach, which is why a thorough assessment matters.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?

Yes. Chiropractic care can be very effective for sciatica when treatment is tailored to the root cause of nerve irritation.

At Riverstone Chiropractic, sciatica care focuses on improving movement, reducing nerve sensitivity, and helping your body tolerate daily activity again,  safely and gradually.

How Chiropractic Care Helps Sciatica

Gentle Spinal and Pelvic Adjustments

Specific adjustments help restore motion in the lower spine and pelvis, reducing mechanical stress on the sciatic nerve.

Soft Tissue & Muscle Work

Muscle tension in the glutes, hips, and low back often contributes to sciatic symptoms. Addressing these tissues can significantly reduce irritation.

Movement-Based Rehabilitation

Sciatica is influenced by how you move, sit, lift, and load your body. Rehab exercises are chosen to improve stability, coordination, and long-term resilience.

Nervous System–Informed Care

Sciatic pain involves the nervous system. All care is adapted to your comfort level and tolerance — never forced or aggressive.

How We Diagnose Sciatica at Riverstone Chiropractic

Because sciatica can look similar to other conditions, we start with a careful evaluation.

Your assessment may include:

• Detailed symptom history
• Posture and movement analysis
• Neurological testing
• Orthopedic tests to assess nerve involvement

If imaging or medical referral is appropriate, we’ll help guide that decision.

Sciatica Treatment in Oakland, CA:

Our Approach:

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for sciatica.

At Riverstone Chiropractic, care is:

• Root-cause focused
• Collaborative and patient-centered
• Trauma-informed and inclusive
• Designed for both symptom relief and long-term prevention

Many patients come to us after trying rest, stretching, or medication without lasting results.

Sciatica Treatment Options: Chiropractic vs Other Approaches

People with sciatica are often offered several treatment options.

Chiropractic Care

• Addresses mechanical and movement-based causes
• Conservative and non-invasive
• Supports long-term improvement

Medication

• May reduce pain or inflammation
• Does not address the underlying cause

Injections

• Can provide temporary relief
• Results vary and are not always lasting

Surgery

• Reserved for specific cases
• Not necessary for most people

Many patients seek chiropractic care when they want to understand why their sciatica is happening.

What to Expect From Sciatica Treatment

Recovery timelines vary based on the cause of sciatica, how long symptoms have been present, and daily activity demands.

Care generally focuses on:

1. Reducing nerve irritation
2. Improving movement and tolerance
3. Restoring confidence in daily activity
4. Preventing recurrence

Progress is measured by improved function — not just pain levels.

When to Seek Care for Sciatica

You may want to seek care if:

• Pain lasts more than a few days
• Symptoms worsen with sitting or activity
• You experience numbness or weakness
• Stretching or rest isn’t helping
• You want to avoid injections or surgery

Early, targeted care often leads to better outcomes.

FAQs About Sciatica Treatment in Oakland, CA

What is the best treatment for sciatica?
The best treatment depends on the cause. Chiropractic care, rehab exercises, and soft tissue work are common conservative options.

Is chiropractic care safe for sciatica?
Yes. Care is safe when provided by a licensed chiropractor and tailored to your condition.

Will I need imaging?
Not always. Imaging is recommended only when clinically necessary.

Can sciatica come back?
Yes — especially if contributing movement or load factors aren’t addressed.

FAQs About Riverstone Chiropractic

Where are you located?
Riverstone Chiropractic is located in Oakland, CA, serving patients throughout the East Bay.

Do you treat chronic sciatica?
Yes. We work with both acute and long-standing cases.

Do I need a referral?
No referral is required.

Do you accept insurance?
We provide superbills for out-of-network reimbursement and offer flexible payment options.

Sciatica Treatment in Oakland, CA

If you’re dealing with sciatica and want care that looks beyond symptoms, we’re here to help.

Schedule an appointment at Riverstone Chiropractic to get started.