Chiropractor for Sciatica in Kingsport, TN
Sciatica is pain that travels from the low back or buttock down the leg, often with tingling, numbness or weakness. It's a symptom, not a diagnosis: something is irritating the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that form it. At Elevate Sport and Spine in Kingsport, Dr. Preston Douglas, DC, CCSP (Tennessee License #3451) starts by finding out what that something is, with a nerve, strength, reflex and movement exam, so the plan targets the actual source.
Go to the ER or call 911 if leg pain comes with loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, weakness that is getting worse quickly, or symptoms in both legs at once. These can be signs of serious nerve compression and need emergency evaluation.
What causes sciatica?
- ●A herniated or bulging disc pressing on or inflaming a nerve root. This is the most common cause in adults under about 50.
- ●Spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the space around the nerves, more common after 50 and often worse with standing and walking.
- ●Bone spurs and joint arthritis in the lower spine.
- ●Tight or irritated buttock muscles, such as the piriformis, which can produce sciatica-like pain.
- ●Pain referred from the low back joints or sacroiliac joint, which can feel like sciatica but usually stays above the knee.
Telling these apart matters, because the treatment is different for each. Pain that goes below the knee with numbness or weakness points to a nerve root; pain that stops at the thigh is often referred from a joint. The broader picture of back pain and pinched nerves is covered on those pages.
Sciatica, piriformis or SI joint?
| Clue | Nerve root (true sciatica) | Piriformis or buttock muscle | SI joint or low back joint |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where pain goes | Below the knee, often to the foot | Buttock, back of thigh | Low back, buttock, upper thigh |
| Numbness or weakness | Common | Uncommon | Rare |
| Worse with | Bending, sitting, coughing | Sitting on hard surfaces, crossing legs | Standing on one leg, rolling in bed |
This table is a guide, not a diagnosis. The exam sorts it out.
How chiropractic care may help sciatica
When the exam points to an irritated low back or pelvic joint, a disc that's responding to movement, or a tight muscle, care may include:
- ●Chiropractic adjustments or gentler options, such as Thompson drop table or Activator, when a disc is irritable
- ●Soft tissue work and dry needling for the buttock and hip muscles
- ●Graded corrective exercise and nerve mobility exercises
- ●Advice on sitting, driving and sleeping positions while it settles
UK national guidelines (NICE) recommend considering manual therapy for low back pain with or without sciatica as part of a package that includes exercise, which is how care is set up here. If the exam suggests you need imaging, an injection or a surgical opinion, Dr. Douglas will refer you and can keep co-managing your care.
What to expect at Elevate Sport and Spine
Your first visit runs 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Douglas asks where the pain goes, what makes it better or worse and how long it's been going on, then tests your movement, nerve tension, strength, reflexes and sensation. X-rays are taken on site only when they're needed; MRI is usually only ordered when symptoms are severe or not improving. You leave with a plan, a visit schedule and a clear list of warning signs to watch for. More on your first visit.
Is chiropractic care safe for sciatica?
For mechanical sciatica, chiropractic care is considered low risk after a careful exam. Techniques are matched to how irritable the nerve is, and positions that make leg pain worse aren't forced. Some soreness after early visits is normal; leg symptoms that spread farther down the leg or new weakness are not, and you should call us if that happens.
Sciatica care in Kingsport
Many of the sciatica patients we see lift for a living, drive long distances, run or play field sports. Because Dr. Douglas is also a Certified Athletic Trainer, he looks at the hips, feet and training load along with the spine, and builds the plan around getting you back to the work or sport that matters to you.
Common Questions
Clinical Sources & Guidelines
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). Low back pain and sciatica in over 16s: assessment and management. NICE guideline NG59. 2016, updated 2020.
Ready to be seen?
Call 423-239-9122 or book online. We don't take walk-ins, but most new patients are seen within a week, and we check your insurance benefits before your first visit.