Are you feeling a sharp pain that shoots from your lower back down your leg?
You might be dealing with sciatica — pressure or irritation of the sciatic nerve, the body’s longest nerve.
Common symptoms include:
- Shooting or burning pain in the leg or hip
- Numbness, tingling, or weakness in one leg
- Trouble standing, walking, or sitting comfortably
At Truth Family Chiropractic, we take a natural, non-invasive approach that finds and corrects what’s causing your pain—not just the symptoms—so you can get back to life pain-free.
Book Your First Exam Today
Why wait to begin feeling relief? Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.
How Our Sciatica Care Plan Works
1. Get The Truth
Stop searching for answers. Finally, get the truth about what’s causing your health problems so that you can create a plan to get your life back.
2. Get Real Solutions
Based on your health goals and your doctor’s findings, we’ll customize a plan of attack that will give you the solutions you’ve been desperately searching for.
3. Live A Life Without Limitations
Unleash your full potential and have the impact and purpose God intended for you.
How We Treat Sciatica
Comprehensive Consultation and Exam
Your care starts with a detailed consultation and exam to uncover what’s causing your sciatica. We’ll review your health history, assess posture and mobility, and perform neurological and orthopedic tests. If needed, digital X-rays help identify spinal misalignments or nerve compression. With this insight, we create a plan focused on long-term correction—not just symptom relief.
Specific Chiropractic Care
Our chiropractors use precise, gentle techniques to restore proper movement in the spine and ease tension affecting the sciatic nerve. Restoring alignment reduces pain, improves flexibility, and supports lasting healing. Depending on your needs, care may include spinal manipulation, joint mobilization, soft tissue therapy, or trigger point work—all tailored for comfort and effectiveness.
Custom Therapeutic Exercise
Targeted exercises strengthen your core, hips, and lower back to stabilize your spine and support adjustments. Your personalized plan helps correct posture, balance muscles, and reduce future flare-ups. Easy to follow at home, these exercises help you maintain results between visits.
Common Causes of Sciatica in West Des Moines, IA
Herniated Lumbar Discs
A bulging or slipped disc can press straight on the sciatic nerve, causing sharp leg pain, tingling, or weakness that disrupts daily movement.
Degenerative Disc Disease
Age-related disc wear reduces spinal space and stability, irritating nerve roots and leading to chronic discomfort or recurring sciatic pain.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal sets tension on nerves, often leading to back pain, numbness, leg weakness, and difficulty standing or walking long periods.
Muscle Strain or Spasms
Tight or injured muscles in the lower back may irritate the sciatic nerve, triggering radiating pain, stiffness, or sudden spasms down the leg.
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction
Inflammation or misalignment in the sacroiliac joint can stress nearby nerves, with pain starting in the hips or buttocks and spreading downward.
Subluxations
Misaligned vertebrae create nerve interference that can aggravate sciatica symptoms. Correcting spinal alignment helps restore function and reduce irritation.
Check Out Our Locations Near You
West Des Moines
1905 EP True Pkwy #207, West Des Moines, IA 50265
St. Charles
133 W Main Street St. Charles, IA 50240
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica Treatment
1. What is the best treatment for sciatica?
The most effective treatment for sciatica targets its root cause rather than just masking pain. At Truth Family Chiropractic, we use gentle spinal adjustments to correct misalignments that irritate the sciatic nerve and create lasting relief. Your care plan may also include exercise and lifestyle coaching for full recovery.
2. How long does sciatica last?
Recovery time depends on what’s causing the nerve irritation and how soon you begin care. Many people notice improvement within the first few weeks of consistent chiropractic visits, while chronic cases may need a few months to fully stabilize. Early treatment typically leads to faster, longer-lasting results.
3. What exercises help with sciatica?
Movements that build core strength and improve flexibility—such as gentle stretching, walking, and swimming—can ease sciatic nerve pressure. Your chiropractor will create a customized exercise plan built around your current posture, flexibility, and strength—making it easy to practice safely at home and maintain your progress between visits.
4. Can a chiropractor help sciatica permanently?
Yes. Chiropractic adjustments, paired with strengthening exercises and posture training, help correct the spinal imbalances that cause sciatic irritation. Once alignment and muscle support improve, many patients experience lasting relief and a lower risk of future flare-ups.
5. Should I see a chiropractor for sciatica?
If you have shooting leg pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness, a chiropractor can determine whether your sciatic nerve is being compressed and why. At our West Des Moines clinic, we’ll assess your spine, nerves, and posture to identify the cause and outline a plan for natural relief.
6. Is sciatica a sign of something serious?
Most sciatica cases are not dangerous, but some require prompt medical attention. If you notice severe pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, or increasing leg weakness, seek care right away. Getting evaluated early prevents complications and helps ensure a safe recovery.
7. Can sciatica heal on its own?
Mild irritation sometimes eases with rest and gentle stretching. However, recurring or intense pain usually signals a deeper alignment or nerve issue. Chiropractic care helps correct the underlying cause so symptoms don’t keep returning.
8. What triggers sciatica pain to worsen?
Flare-ups often occur after long periods of sitting, heavy lifting, poor posture, or twisting movements. Strengthening your core, using proper ergonomics, and maintaining regular chiropractic care are key ways to keep pain from coming back.
9. Is walking good for sciatica relief?
Yes. Walking encourages blood flow, reduces inflammation, and supports spinal movement—all of which help the sciatic nerve heal. Start with short, frequent walks and increase gradually as pain decreases. Your chiropractor can guide you on safe duration and posture tips.
10. Can sciatica come back after treatment?
Sciatica can return if the original cause isn’t fully corrected or old habits resume. Ongoing posture awareness, core exercise, and periodic chiropractic check-ups greatly reduce recurrence and help you stay pain-free long term.
11. What should I expect during my first chiropractic visit for sciatica?
Your first visit includes a detailed consultation, posture and movement assessment, and, if needed, digital X-rays. We’ll explain what’s happening with your sciatic nerve and outline a custom care plan before any treatment begins. Expect a comfortable, professional experience designed to find answers—not just treat symptoms.
12. How much does chiropractic treatment for sciatica cost?
Costs vary based on the severity of your condition and how many visits you need. At Truth Family Chiropractic, we keep care affordable by offering exam packages and flexible payment options. You’ll receive a full cost breakdown before starting care—no surprises, just transparency.
13. How often will I need to see a chiropractor for sciatica?
Frequency depends on your condition and goals. Many patients start with two to three visits per week, then taper as pain decreases and mobility improves. Your chiropractor will track your improvement at each visit and fine-tune your care plan as needed to help you recover quickly and maintain lasting results.
14. Is chiropractic care for sciatica safe?
Yes—when provided by licensed chiropractors, chiropractic adjustments are safe and non-invasive. We always perform a thorough evaluation before starting care to ensure every technique used is appropriate for your condition. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities at every stage.
15. Can sciatica affect both legs?
While sciatica typically affects one leg, it can impact both sides if the nerve compression occurs centrally in the lower spine. Your chiropractor will determine the exact cause and create a plan to relieve pressure and restore balance across your spine and hips.
16. What sleeping position is best for sciatica pain?
To ease sciatic nerve tension, try lying on your side and placing a supportive cushion between your knees to keep your hips aligned. If you rest on your back, sliding a small pillow beneath your knees can take pressure off your lower spine. It’s best to avoid stomach sleeping, which tends to arch the back and tighten leg muscles. During your visit, your chiropractor can recommend positioning tips tailored to your posture and comfort.
17. Can pregnancy cause or worsen sciatica?
Yes. Hormonal changes and added pressure on the lower spine during pregnancy can irritate the sciatic nerve. Chiropractic adjustments designed for prenatal care are gentle and safe, helping relieve back and leg pain without medication. Our clinic regularly supports expectant mothers seeking natural relief.
18. How can I prevent sciatica from coming back after treatment?
Consistency is key. Maintain good posture, stretch regularly, strengthen your core, and schedule periodic chiropractic check-ups to keep your spine aligned. We’ll also teach you lifestyle and ergonomic habits that protect your lower back long after treatment ends.
19. What’s the difference between sciatica and lower back pain?
Lower back pain often starts in the muscles, joints, or spinal discs, while sciatica stems from pressure or irritation along the sciatic nerve. That irritation can create pain, tingling, or weakness that moves from the lower back into the hip or leg. A proper chiropractic evaluation identifies which condition you’re dealing with so treatment targets the true cause.
20. When should I seek immediate medical attention for sciatica?
Call a healthcare provider right away if you experience severe or worsening pain, loss of bladder or bowel control, or significant leg weakness. Such symptoms may signal a deeper spinal problem that should be checked right away by a professional. Early care ensures the best chance for full recovery.
Chiropractor
Expert Insight from Dr. Kevin Miller, DC
With over 20 years of chiropractic experience, Dr. Kevin Miller, founder of Truth Family Chiropractic, has helped thousands of patients in West Des Moines overcome nerve pain, improve posture, and move freely again through gentle, corrective care.
A former collegiate wrestler, Dr. Miller first discovered chiropractic after a sports injury left him struggling with back pain. Experiencing how natural adjustments restored his strength and mobility inspired his lifelong passion for helping others heal without relying on medication or surgery.
Today, he applies that same precision and compassion to every patient he serves—whether they’re recovering from sciatica, improving athletic performance, or simply wanting to live pain-free.
His care philosophy focuses on restoring spinal alignment and nerve function so the body can heal from within and stay balanced for life.
“My mission is to help people feel better, move better, and live without limitations.”
— Dr. Kevin Miller, DC
Book Your First Exam Today
Why wait to begin feeling relief? Contact us today to schedule your first appointment.