Clinicians also call it lumbar radicular pain: “radicular” means the pain comes from a nerve root in the lower back rather than from the leg itself.
What we help with
Sciatica: care for leg pain that starts in the low back
The UK’s national guideline (NICE) says hands-on care such as spinal manipulation, mobilization and soft-tissue work can be considered for sciatica when it is part of a treatment plan that includes exercise. If you have numbness around your genitals or bottom, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, or weakness in both legs that is severe or getting worse, call 911 or go to the emergency room instead. Pain that stays in the back is covered by our low back pain care.
What is sciatica, and does it get better on its own?
Sciatica is pain from an irritated or compressed sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back to the feet, and it usually gets better in a few weeks to a few months.
Which sciatica signs mean call 911 or go to the ER?
Call 911 or go to the emergency room for numbness around your genitals or bottom, new bladder or bowel problems, sciatica in both legs, or leg weakness that is severe or getting worse.
How does Dr. LeGault care for sciatica?
Sciatica care here combines adjustments with exercise and advice on staying active, never adjustments on their own.
Dr. LeGault gives adjustments as part of a combined plan, either by hand (the Diversified technique) or on a Thompson drop table, an adjusting table whose sections drop a short distance as the adjustment is given.
Alongside them come exercise and activity advice: movements chosen for your back and leg, practiced with him in the office, then followed at home through the Physitrack app or a printed handout and stepped up from visit to visit.
The aim is to keep you moving at work and at home while the nerve settles, and to recognize early if anything needs a medical opinion instead.
What does the research say about adjustments and exercise for sciatica?
Guidelines treat hands-on care as a reasonable part of an exercise-based plan for sciatica, with small to modest, short- to medium-term benefits and low-certainty evidence.
What the research does not show: none of these studies found that adjustments change a disc or the nerve itself, and none showed that conservative care avoids surgery.
Is it safe to keep active with sciatica?
Yes: keeping up your normal activities and starting gentle exercise early can help, and movement may hurt but it is not harmful.
What happens at the first visit for sciatica?
Dr. LeGault asks how the leg pain started and what changes it, explains his findings in plain words, and suggests a plan built around staying active.
Your first visit begins with a detailed health history and a conversation about your symptoms, then a physical examination, with orthopedic and neurological testing if appropriate. If chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment may start the same day.
No referral is required, X-rays are taken only when clinically appropriate (at an off-site facility), and there is no long-term contract to sign.
Before you come in, it helps to note when the leg pain began, which positions ease or worsen it, and any numbness or weakness. See how your first visit works for booking and what to bring.
Is chiropractic care for sciatica safe?
Serious complications after spinal manipulation are rare, while short-lived soreness, stiffness or a headache afterwards is common.
Tell Dr. LeGault straight away if the leg symptoms spread, numbness changes or weakness appears: guidelines ask clinicians to reconsider the diagnosis when symptoms are new or change.
When can I see Dr. LeGault, and is my plan accepted?
Dr. Steven K. LeGault, DC sees sciatica patients on the days shown below, and the practice accepts the plans listed; coverage depends on your plan.
| Day | Dr. LeGault |
|---|---|
| Monday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Thursday | not stated |
| Friday | not stated |
| Saturday | 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM |
- UPMC
- Highmark
- Aetna
- UnitedHealthcare
- Other Blue Cross Blue Shield plans
- Medicare (participating provider)
- Pennsylvania auto insurance (first-party medical benefits (PIP), billed directly)
- Workers’ compensation
Coverage depends on your plan.
We can verify and check your benefits before your first visit, or you can check with your insurer directly. Paying for yourself? Self-pay options exist; call 412-364-4100 to ask.
Questions, answered
Can a chiropractor make sciatica worse?
Short-lived soreness or stiffness after an adjustment is common, and serious complications are rare. Movement may hurt at first, but it is not harmful. If leg weakness or numbness gets worse, or any emergency sign appears, get medical care right away.
Is sciatica the same as a pinched nerve?
People often call it that. Sciatica happens when the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back to your feet, is irritated or compressed.
Will I need an MRI for sciatica?
Not routinely. NICE advises against routine imaging such as X-ray or MRI outside specialist settings, and says imaging should be considered only when the result is likely to change management. Here, X-rays are taken only when clinically appropriate, off-site.
Should I rest in bed until it passes?
No. Guidelines suggest staying normally active rather than resting in bed. Keep moving within what you can manage and build up gradually.
Do I need a referral?
No. The practice does not require a referral, though some insurance plans may require one for coverage, so check your plan.
Find more answers in our FAQ.
Dr. LeGault sees patients on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdaygetting here and parkinghow insurance and billing work herecoverage depends on your planJust off McKnight Road, on-site parking
Who treats this
- Dr. LeGault (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday)
References
Hands-on care can be considered within a plan that includes exercise; keep active; no routine imaging.
What sciatica is, its usual course, keeping active, and the warning signs that need emergency care (UK numbers adapted to 911 and the emergency room).
Symptoms with sciatica that mean contacting a provider right away.
Spinal manual therapy as an add-on and supervised exercise as reasonable choices (weak recommendations, very low to low quality evidence); stay active.
11 trials at high risk of bias: lower short- and medium-term pain, no long-term difference; very low to moderate certainty.
Mild, short-lived reactions are common and serious complications are rare; a careful history and examination come first.