Sciatica doesn’t always start where you expect—and it rarely stays in one place. For some people, it shows up as a sharp pain in the lower back that suddenly shoots down the leg. For others, it feels like tingling, numbness, or a constant ache that just won’t settle down. It’s common in people who sit for long periods, do repetitive or physical work, and especially during pregnancy, when changes in posture and added pressure on the spine can irritate surrounding nerves.
What makes it more frustrating is that it doesn’t behave like typical back pain. It travels. It lingers. And it often doesn’t respond to the usual fixes. The challenge is, many people don’t realize they’re dealing with nerve-related pain in the first place.
Type of Pain
General muscle and joint pain
Nerve-related pain
Pain Pattern
Lower back only
Centralized in the lower back and travels to other areas
Sensation
Dull, aching, stiffness
Sharp, shooting, burning, tingling
Movement Impact
Worse with sitting, standing, lifting
Worse with certain positions or nerve pressure
Cause
Weak muscles, poor posture, joint issues, tissue strain, excess weight, pregnancy
Nerve compression, disc issues, inflammation, pregnancy
Chronic Lower Back Pain:
General muscle and joint pain
Sciatica:
Nerve-related pain
Chronic Lower Back Pain:
Lower back only
Sciatica:
Centralized in the lower back and travels to other areas
Chronic Lower Back Pain:
Dull, aching, stiffness
Sciatica:
Sharp, shooting, burning, tingling
Chronic Lower Back Pain:
Worse with sitting, standing, lifting
Sciatica:
Worse with certain positions or nerve pressure
Chronic Lower Back Pain:
Weak muscles, poor posture, joint issues, tissue strain, excess weight, pregnancy
Sciatica:
Nerve compression, disc issues, inflammation, pregnancy
Key when it comes to nerve-related back pain. By realigning the spine and improving how the joints move, adjustments help reduce pressure on irritated nerves. Decreases stress on surrounding muscles, allowing the body to move more efficiently with less strain over time.
Supports deep core strength development to help stabilize the spine and reduce strain. EmSculpt NEO’s HIFEM® technology enhances muscle function and movement, helping support long-term stability and reduce recurring pain.
Reduce excess weight in the midsection to decrease pressure on the lower back. Thinnr supports metabolic function through targeted homeopathic medication and nutrition strategies, while EmSculpt NEO’s RF technology accelerates fat reduction in the abdomen.
Add Ligaplex® II to support ligaments; Cataplex® A-C to support tissue repair and overall healing; Boswellia Complex for a healthy inflammatory response; C Synergy for collagen production.
Sciatica is common during pregnancy due to changes in posture, weight distribution, and added pressure on the spine and surrounding nerves. As the body adapts, this can lead to nerve irritation, resulting in pain that travels down the leg, along with tingling or discomfort.
During pregnancy, treatment options are more limited. EmSculpt NEO is not recommended, but chiropractic care can play an important role. Dr. Josh is Webster Certified with the IPCA and highly experienced in working with pregnant patients, focusing on gentle adjustments to support alignment and reduce nerve pressure.
Additional support may include RockTape® for stability and comfort, as well as targeted nutritional support when appropriate (consultation required).
