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Sciatica: that shooting pain has a real solution.

Sciatica is nerve compression, usually in the lower back. Stretching, ice, and rest won't unweight a nerve that's being squeezed. We find the source and take pressure off it.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Tom McGuire, DC  ยท  Updated June 2026

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How we help

Take pressure off the nerve.

When the source is unweighted, the leg pain goes away. We make that happen without surgery.

Our approach

  • Imaging review or referral when we need a clearer picture.
  • Spinal decompression therapy when a disc is compressing the nerve.
  • Specific adjustments to restore alignment in the lower back.
  • Targeted rehab to retrain the deep stabilizing muscles so the pain stays gone.
  • Anti-inflammatory and nutritional support through functional health if needed.
The result: the shooting pain quiets down because the nerve isn't being squeezed anymore. And your lower back is stronger so it doesn't come back.
The honest version

Sciatica isn't a leg problem.

It's a back problem your leg is yelling about. Until you address the nerve in your lower back, no amount of stretching the hamstring will fix it.

Secure Your New Patient Appointment Returning Patient? Text or call us at 732-583-7799

How to tell sciatica from an ordinary backache

Plain back pain usually stays in your back. Sciatica travels. The classic signs are a sharp or burning pain that runs from your lower back into your buttock and down one leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. You might also feel numbness, tingling, or pins and needles in the leg, weakness on one side, or pain that gets worse when you sit, cough, or sneeze. It is almost always on one side.

Where it really comes from

Sciatica is not a problem with your leg. It is a nerve in your lower back that is being pinched or pressed, most often by a bulging or herniated disc, a tight or misaligned joint, or muscles that are clamping down around the nerve. Stretching the hamstring feels good for a minute, but it does nothing to unweight the nerve, which is why the pain keeps coming back.

How we take the pressure off

At our Matawan and Bradley Beach offices, we find exactly where the nerve is being squeezed with a full exam, and imaging when it would change the plan. Then we take the pressure off it: spinal decompression when a disc is involved, specific adjustments to restore alignment in the lower back, and rehab to retrain the deep muscles so the nerve stays free. Many people feel relief within the first few weeks.

Common questions

Sciatica FAQ

Will I need an MRI?
Not always. Many sciatica cases respond beautifully to chiropractic and decompression without imaging. If we think an MRI would change the plan, we'll tell you and help coordinate it.
Can chiropractic actually help with sciatica?
Yes. Chiropractic and spinal decompression directly address the nerve compression that causes sciatica. Most patients see meaningful improvement within a few weeks of consistent care.
How fast will I feel relief?
Some patients feel relief after their first visit. Most experience clear improvement within 2-4 weeks. The full course depends on how long you've had the problem and what's causing it.