Is Your Sciatica Getting Worse? 5 Signs to Watch Out For and How to Stop It
Sciatica isn’t just a little back pain. It’s that sharp, burning, sometimes unbearable pain that shoots from your lower back down your leg, and it doesn’t always go away on its own.
At Re-LAX Chiropractic, we see a lot of people who waited too long before getting help. The truth is: sciatica that gets worse over time can lead to permanent nerve damage if left untreated.
Here are the top 5 warning signs your sciatica is progressing, and how chiropractic care can help you stop it before it becomes serious.
1. The Pain Is Moving Down Your Leg Further Than Before
In early stages, sciatica might just cause lower back pain or a dull ache in your glutes. But if it’s starting to travel past your knee or into your foot, that’s a sign the nerve irritation is spreading.
This means more pressure is being placed on the sciatic nerve, often from a spinal misalignment, herniated disc, or muscle tension, and it needs attention.
2. Tingling, Numbness, or Weakness in Your Foot or Toes
A little tingling might seem harmless, but it signals that your nerve is being compressed.
If you’re starting to feel numbness, weakness, or a “dead leg” sensation in one foot, this is your body waving a red flag. Nerves control not just pain, but muscle strength and reflexes, too. The longer they’re compressed, the harder they are to heal.
3. You Can’t Sit, Stand, or Sleep Comfortably Anymore
If sciatica is starting to interfere with your daily activities like driving, sitting at work, walking, or even sleeping, that’s a strong sign your body needs help.
Pain that doesn’t change with position or gets worse with rest can indicate inflammation, swelling, or worsening compression. A chiropractor can evaluate how your pelvis, spine, and muscles are affecting your sciatic nerve.
4. Over-the-Counter Meds or Stretches No Longer Help
Most people try to stretch or take ibuprofen when sciatica flares up. But if your usual go-to relief isn’t working anymore, it could mean the root cause isn’t being addressed.
Remember: sciatica is a nerve problem, and if your spine or pelvis is out of alignment, it won’t fix itself without a structural correction.
5. You’re Starting to Feel Pain on Both Sides
Classic sciatica usually affects one side. But if pain is creeping into both legs or switching sides often, this may point to a larger structural imbalance in the spine or pelvis, not just a pinched nerve.
This could lead to compensation patterns, uneven wear, and chronic mobility issues down the line.
How Chiropractic Care Helps You Recover Naturally
At Re-LAX Chiropractic, we take a comprehensive approach to sciatica relief. We don’t just treat the symptoms, we focus on the actual cause of the nerve pressure.
Here’s how we help:
✅ Chiropractic Adjustments
We gently realign the spine and pelvis to relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve.
✅ Spinal Decompression
This technique creates space between vertebrae to reduce disc pressure and inflammation.
✅ Active Release Technique (ART)
Targeted muscle release therapy to loosen tight glutes, piriformis, and hamstrings that may be compressing the nerve.
✅ Movement + Posture Coaching
We help you move better, sit better, and sleep better to prevent flare-ups and support long-term recovery.
Dr. Christina Yang from Re-LAX Chiropractic also uses an advanced protocol that combines gentle Active Release Technique (ART) to help rebalance and release overactive muscles, along with chiropractic adjustments tailored specifically to your body’s needs. This integrated method provides effective relief while addressing the underlying muscular tension that often contributes to sciatic nerve irritation.
📍 Visit Us in Westchester, Los Angeles
Re-LAX Chiropractic
8929 South Sepulveda Blvd., Suite 100
Los Angeles, CA 90045
https://re-laxchiropractic.com
✅ Don’t wait for your sciatica to get worse.
If you’re experiencing any of the signs above, we’re here to help.
Book your first appointment today and get back to living pain-free.