You’re Not Broken | Why Sciatica Hurts and How to Come Back Stronger

Written by: Doc, Dr. Aschia Florvilus Rodby | Published on: April 16, 2025

It starts with a twinge.

A little ache in your lower back after sitting too long… a sharp jolt down your leg when you lean forward… that electric zing that shoots through your hip and says, “You’re not okay.”

It builds slowly—or strikes all at once—but however it manifests, sciatica has a way of making you feel powerless in your own body.

But here’s what I want you to know, first and foremost:

You are not broken. Sciatica pain is real—but it’s also a sign that your body’s trying to protect you. The problem isn’t that you’re falling apart. The problem is that your nervous system is overwhelmed and out of sync. The good news? That can be fixed.

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So, What Is Sciatica?

Let’s start with what sciatica isn’t: it’s not a diagnosis, and it’s not a random occurrence.

Sciatica is a symptom. It happens when the sciatic nerve—the longest and thickest nerve in the body—becomes irritated, inflamed, or compressed.

The sciatic nerve stretches from your lower spine through your hips and down both legs.

When it’s compressed, it’s like stepping on a garden hose—the pressure doesn’t just stay at the source. It sends a ripple effect of pain down the entire nerve.

You might feel:

• Sharp, shooting pain from your back to your foot

• Burning or tingling in the buttock or leg

• Numbness or weakness on one side

• Pain that worsens with sitting or standing too long

• A flare-up that comes and goes unpredictably

• A weird combination of all the above

It’s a Nervous System Issue

Here’s what’s missing from most sciatica conversations: This isn’t just about a disc or a tight muscle. It’s about how your brain and body are communicating.

When the spine isn’t moving properly—whether from injury, posture, pregnancy, or stress—it disrupts how your nervous system regulates sensation, pain, and motor control. This is called a subluxation: a miscommunication between brain and body caused by abnormal spinal motion.

Think of your nervous system like Wi-Fi. If your spine is misaligned, your brain is getting spotty reception. It tries to compensate—but the signal isn’t clear. This is where chiropractic care can be transformative. We don’t just chase symptoms. We restore motion to specific spinal segments, allowing your brain to receive accurate input again. The result? Less pain. Better movement. More control.

A 2006 study published in Spine found that 60% of patients with severe sciatica avoided surgery after 12 weeks of chiropractic spinal adjustments.1

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What Treatment Options Exist and What’s Best?

Treatment	What It Helps	What It Misses
Chiropractic Care	Targets root dysfunction, improves nerve communication	Takes consistency—but leads to real correction
Pain Meds (NSAIDs)	Numbs symptoms temporarily	Doesn’t address cause; long-term use has risks
Injections	Calms inflammation short-term	May mask pain; effect wears off and doesn’t fix structural issues
Surgery	Removes disc fragments or relieves pressure	Invasive, costly, doesn’t always resolve nerve dysfunction
Physical Therapy	Builds strength and mobility	Works best after nervous system dysfunction is corrected

In our clinic, we often pair chiropractic with guided rehab and mobility work for the best long-term results.

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Why Sciatica Keeps Coming Back

Many people feel better after rest or meds—until the next flare-up. Why? Because the root issue (spinal dysfunction + nerve interference) is still there. It’s just quieter for now.

Until you address the cause, your nervous system stays stuck in a loop. Guess what...loops love to repeat themselves. That’s why a brain-body based approach is so different. We focus on restoring balance to your nervous system—not just managing symptoms.

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Healing Starts With Hope

If you’re feeling discouraged or defeated by pain, I want to say this plainly:

You’re not broken. You’re signaling.

Your body is capable of incredible healing—especially when we clear the interference and support its natural rhythm. Let’s help you feel strong again. Let’s help you move again. Let’s help you come back stronger than ever.

Ready to Take That Next Step?

Visit us at Back 2 Back Chiropractic in Dunwoody, GA and let’s create a personalized plan to help you feel whole again.

References

1. Santilli V, Beghi E, Finucci S. Chiropractic manipulation in the treatment of acute back pain and sciatica with disc protrusion: a randomized double-blind clinical trial of active and simulated spinal manipulations. Spine J. 2006;6(2):131-137. doi:10.1016/j.spinee.2005.08.001