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Dr. Kevin Tomassini DC
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Sciatica

Sciatica is that burning, tingling, or numb feeling that radiates down the leg. It's not a condition on its own — it's a signal that a nerve is under pressure. Let's find out why.

▶︎ Understanding Low Back Pain & Sciatica — from Dr. Tomassini's YouTube channel

What’s actually going on

Sciatica isn’t really its own problem — it’s a message. When you start to have degenerative changes or a bulge, the disc can press on the nerve, and that can lead to numbness, stinging, burning sensations, and pain radiating down the leg. The sciatic nerve runs from your lower back down through the buttock and into the leg, so when something presses on it up top, you feel it all the way down.

So the pain in your leg is real — but the cause is usually in your lower back.

What it can lead to

Left alone, the pressure that’s irritating the nerve tends to get worse, not better. That can lead to more constant numbness and weakness. The goal is to take the pressure off the nerve before it gets to that point.

What you’re going to do about it

  1. Decompression & adjustment — we use flexion-distraction, gentle table decompression, to take pressure off the disc and the nerve.
  2. Nerve flossing — specific gentle movements to help the nerve glide. We’ll show you the exact technique.
  3. Glute and core strengthening — three sets, a few times a week, to stabilize the lower back.
  4. Posture and sitting fixes — because that’s often what set it off.

Surgery is the last resort here. Most of the time, conservative care does the job — if you stay consistent.

Common questions

What is sciatica? +

Sciatica is burning, tingling, or numbness that radiates down the leg, caused by pressure on the sciatic nerve. It's usually a symptom of something upstream — a bulging disc, a misalignment, or tight muscles pressing on the nerve. We treat the cause, not just the sensation.

How long does sciatica take to heal? +

It depends on what's causing it and how long it's been there. With conservative care — adjustments, decompression, and the right exercises — many people feel significant relief in a few weeks. Consistency with the home exercises is what makes it stick.

Should I rest or move with sciatica? +

Gentle movement usually beats bed rest. Prolonged rest can stiffen things up. We'll give you specific stretches and nerve-mobility work. But if you have progressive weakness or loss of bladder control, that's different — see a doctor right away.

Stop masking it. Let's find the cause.

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