Sciatica treatment in Tinley Park

Few things wear you down like sciatica. That sharp, shooting pain running from your low back down the leg can make sitting, standing, and even sleeping miserable. The pain comes from a compressed or irritated sciatic nerve, the long nerve that travels from your lower spine down each leg. At Chiropractic Wellness of Tinley Park, Dr. Jeff Hoekstra works to find exactly where that nerve is being pinched and to relieve the pressure at its source, rather than simply numbing the symptom.

What is causing your sciatica

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis, so the real work is finding what is irritating the nerve. In our Tinley Park office the usual sources include:

• Disc problems. A bulging or herniated disc in the low back can press directly on the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve.
• Joint misalignment. When the joints of the lower spine and pelvis get stuck or shift, they can crowd and irritate the nerve as it exits.
• Muscle tightness. A tight muscle deep in the buttock, the piriformis, can clamp down on the sciatic nerve and reproduce the same leg pain.
• Prolonged sitting. Long stretches in a chair or car compress the low back and hips, which can set off or worsen a flare.

How chiropractic care helps

Care starts with a thorough exam so we can pinpoint where the nerve is being compressed. From there, gentle, precise adjustments restore movement to the joints of the low back and pelvis, take pressure off the irritated nerve, and help the surrounding muscles relax. As the pressure eases, that radiating leg pain often begins to retreat back up toward the spine and fade.

What to expect

Your first visit begins with a conversation and a hands-on exam, then a clear, plain-English explanation of what we found and what we recommend. Many patients receive their first treatment the same day and leave with a realistic plan and a sense of relief, knowing there is a path forward.

Questions, answered