When the Pain Keeps Coming Back
A lot of people with sciatica do the right things at first. They rest, they stretch, they wait it out. And sometimes it helps, for a while. But then it comes back, often a little worse, and a little harder to shake.
Sciatica is one of the most misunderstood conditions in musculoskeletal care, because it isn't one thing. It's a symptom. The shooting pain, the burning down the leg, the numbness in the foot — these are signals that something is irritating the sciatic nerve. But where that irritation is coming from, and why, varies significantly from person to person.
Treating sciatica effectively means identifying the actual cause first. Without that, the relief tends to be temporary.
What's Actually Causing Your Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and glutes and down each leg. When it gets irritated or compressed anywhere along that path, the result is what most people call sciatica. But the cause can be very different depending on the person.
Dr. Kinnison identifies three primary drivers he sees most often at OV Spine & Sport:
- Disc or joint compression in the lumbar spine pressing directly on the nerve root, often worsened by sitting or forward bending
- Tight hip muscles, particularly the piriformis, which can compress the sciatic nerve when chronically shortened, common in active adults and athletes
- Neurological and balance system compensation, where altered movement patterns create cumulative tension that the lower back and hip end up bearing
Understanding which of these is driving your symptoms is what determines the treatment approach.
Sciatica Care at OV Spine & Sport
Dr. Nate Kinnison holds a Doctor of Chiropractic degree and a Master of Science in Sports Medicine, which means he approaches sciatica the way a sports medicine clinician would: start with a thorough assessment, identify the specific driver, and build treatment around that.
Depending on what's behind your symptoms, care at OV Spine & Sport may include spinal adjustments to address disc and joint issues, dry needling to release deep hip and glute tension, functional rehabilitation to correct the movement patterns keeping the nerve irritated, and neurological and vestibular work when the body's coordination system is part of the picture.
Some sessions focus on one approach. Others combine several. The goal is always the same: find what's actually driving the nerve irritation and address it at the source, not just manage the pain.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
Step 1: Assessment
Step 2: Treatment
Step 3: A Clear Plan
What Patients Notice After Treatment
Most patients with sciatica notice meaningful improvement within the first few visits, particularly when the underlying cause has been identified accurately:
- Reduced nerve pain and burning sensation down the leg
- Less hip and glute tightness that was compressing the nerve
- Better tolerance for sitting, walking, and daily activities
- Improved movement quality so the problem is less likely to return
Sciatica rarely requires surgery. With the right assessment and the right treatment approach, most people recover well and get back to doing what they enjoy in Oro Valley.
Our integrated approach combines Neuro care for your brain, muscular care for your Muscles, and chiropractic care for your Joints. Combining these helps improve the Brain’s pain pathways, Muscle tension, and Joint tension. We are happy to introduce you to this progressive treatment to sustain healing and maintain well-being.
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Dr. Nate Kinnison
Book NowFrequently Asked Questions About Sciatica
Sciatica typically feels like a sharp, shooting, or burning pain that runs from the lower back through the glute and down one leg. Some people feel numbness or tingling in the leg or foot. Others notice the pain more in the hip or glute than the back itself. The character and location of symptoms can actually help pinpoint the underlying cause.
Sometimes, yes. Mild cases driven by muscle tightness can resolve with rest and movement. But if the underlying cause isn't addressed, sciatica tends to come back. Compensation patterns that develop while you're in pain can also create new problems over time. Coming in early tends to lead to a faster and more complete recovery.
Most patients see meaningful improvement within 3 to 6 visits, depending on how long the symptoms have been present and what's causing them. Dr. Nate will give you a realistic estimate after your first assessment. There are no open-ended treatment plans at OV Spine & Sport.
Yes, and for many patients it's one of the most effective approaches available. The key is matching the treatment to the cause. Dr. Kinnison's D.C. and M.S. in Sports Medicine training allows him to assess and treat sciatica from multiple angles, including joint work, soft tissue release, dry needling, and functional rehab, rather than defaulting to a single technique.
No referral is needed. If you have existing imaging like an MRI or X-ray, bring it along and Dr. Nate will review it as part of your assessment. If imaging is needed, he will advise you during your visit. You can book directly online at any time.
Ready to Find Out What's Behind Your Sciatica?
Book your first visit with Dr. Nate Kinnison at OV Spine & Sport in Oro Valley. 60 minutes, hands-on care on day one, and a clear plan to follow.
