Sciatica isn’t just back pain—it’s a sharp, radiating ache that shoots from your lower back down your leg, making everyday movement difficult. Simple things like sitting, walking, or getting out of bed can feel like a challenge.
As trusted sciatica chiropractors in Whittier, CA, we help patients find relief without relying on invasive procedures.
At Olympus Sports Therapy, we take time to identify what’s irritating your sciatic nerve and create a plan that gets you moving again—comfortably and confidently. If you’re tired of working around your pain, we’re here to help you work through it.
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica is a condition that stems from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve—the largest nerve in your body. This nerve runs from your lower back down through your hips, buttocks, and into each leg. When it’s pinched or inflamed, it can lead to sharp, shooting pain that radiates down one side of the body.
The pain can vary. Some people feel a mild ache; others describe it as burning, stabbing, or electric-like pain. It often begins in the lower back and follows the path of the sciatic nerve through the back of the thigh and calf. In more severe cases, it can affect how you sit, stand, walk, or even sleep.
Common causes of sciatica include:
• Herniated or bulging discs that press against the nerve root.
• Spinal stenosis, which is a narrowing of the spaces in the spine.
• Degenerative disc disease, where spinal discs wear down and reduce cushioning.
• Piriformis syndrome, where a small muscle in the buttocks irritates the nerve.
You may also notice symptoms like:
• Numbness or tingling in the affected leg or foot
• Muscle weakness, especially when trying to lift the foot or move the leg
• Discomfort that worsens when sitting for long periods
Sciatica usually affects only one side of the body. It’s often triggered by everyday movements like bending, lifting, or even sitting too long with poor posture. Sometimes, the pain comes and goes. Other times, it lingers and gets worse without proper care.
While rest may help temporarily, ongoing symptoms typically need more than just waiting it out. That’s where the right care makes a difference. Working with a trained sciatica chiropractor in Whittier, CA can help reduce the nerve pressure causing the pain and get you back to moving freely again.
The Role of Chiropractic Care in Sciatica Management
When sciatica pain strikes, it’s tempting to rest, stretch, or reach for medication. While these might offer short-term relief, they don’t always address the actual cause. That’s where chiropractic care comes in. Instead of masking symptoms, it focuses on restoring how your spine and nervous system work—so you can move better and feel better.
As sciatica chiropractors in Whittier, CA, we see how spinal alignment plays a central role in nerve-related pain. When the bones in your lower back are misaligned or when a disc presses into a nerve root, the sciatic nerve can get compressed. This is one of the most common triggers for the pain that radiates from your back to your legs.
How Chiropractic Helps
• Spinal Adjustments
Chiropractic adjustments are precise movements aimed at realigning the spine and reducing pressure on the sciatic nerve. When the spine is properly aligned, it relieves mechanical stress and improves overall nerve function. That means less inflammation, less pain, and more freedom to move.
• Targeted Muscle Work
Muscle tightness—especially in the glutes, hips, and lower back—can worsen sciatic nerve compression. Manual therapy and myofascial release techniques can help ease that tension, allowing the nerve to move more freely without being trapped by tight tissue.
• Restoring Movement Patterns
Many sciatica cases stem from repeated movement faults, like bending incorrectly, poor posture, or prolonged sitting. A chiropractor looks at how your body moves as a whole and addresses faulty patterns that may be feeding the pain cycle.
• Strength and Stability Training
Once the acute pain has eased, you may need to strengthen the core, glutes, and supporting muscles. This is crucial to keep the lower back and pelvis stable, especially when lifting, twisting, or walking long distances.
Why Chiropractic Over Just Medication?
• Non-Invasive and Drug-Free
Chiropractic care doesn’t rely on painkillers or injections. Instead, it promotes healing through movement, alignment, and tissue release—all without side effects or long recovery times.
• Addresses the Root Cause
Rather than covering up pain, chiropractic looks for what’s causing it. Whether it’s a herniated disc, joint restriction, or muscular imbalance, the goal is to correct the issue and keep it from coming back.
If you’re dealing with persistent leg pain, numbness, or lower back tension, chiropractic care offers a clear, structured path toward relief. And more importantly, it helps you stay mobile and independent—without constantly worrying about when the next flare-up will hit.
Olympus Sports Therapy’s Approach to Sciatica Relief
At Olympus Sports Therapy, we don’t just treat pain—we treat people. Sciatica affects everyone differently, which is why we don’t use cookie-cutter protocols. Instead, we take a hands-on, personalized approach to get to the root of what’s irritating your sciatic nerve and help you return to daily life without that nagging, radiating discomfort.
Our approach begins with a deep understanding of your movement, habits, posture, and history. Sciatica doesn’t show up in a vacuum—it’s often the result of accumulated stress on the spine and hips over time. That’s why our first step is always a comprehensive assessment.
Step 1: Full-Body Assessment
• We look closely at how your spine moves and whether there’s misalignment or stiffness in the lower back.
• We assess your hips, pelvis, and posture, as tightness or imbalance in these areas can contribute to sciatic nerve irritation.
• If needed, we’ll also evaluate your walking pattern and how you perform basic movements like sitting, bending, or twisting.
Understanding how your body is compensating helps us figure out the true source of the pressure on your nerve.
Step 2: Customized Hands-On Treatment
Once we know what’s driving the problem, we design a care plan around you—not just your symptoms.
• Spinal Adjustments: Realigning the lower back and pelvis helps reduce nerve compression and improve mobility.
• Manual Therapy: We use targeted muscle release techniques on the glutes, piriformis, and low back to relieve deep tension that’s often overlooked.
• Stability Work: Through guided exercises, we help retrain your body to move with more balance and support—so the pain doesn’t keep coming back.
Each session is one-on-one, allowing us to adapt based on your progress and feedback. Our goal isn’t just to relieve your pain—it’s to rebuild your confidence in movement.
Step 3: Education and Prevention
We teach you how to avoid future flare-ups with practical strategies for real life:
• Smarter ways to sit, lift, and move
• Desk setup tips to improve posture during work
• Stretches and mobility routines to keep your hips and spine healthy
Why Choose Olympus Sports Therapy?
When it comes to sciatica, choosing the right provider can mean the difference between short-term relief and long-term freedom from pain. At Olympus Sports Therapy, we go beyond the basics. We deliver care that’s focused, personalized, and built around how you live, move, and heal.
Expert-Led Care You Can Trust
Your care is guided by Dr. Alex Mak, a Certified Chiropractic Sports Physician (CCSP®) and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS). That combination of credentials means your treatment plan isn’t just about easing pain—it’s also about restoring function and preventing future issues. You’re getting care from someone who understands how the body moves under stress, during recovery, and through everyday life.
One-on-One Attention Every Time
We don’t double-book or rush through appointments. Every session is one-on-one, so you get our full attention and expertise. This allows us to adjust your treatment based on how your body responds and how you’re feeling—no guesswork, no generic routines.
Whether it’s your first flare-up or you’ve been dealing with sciatic pain for years, we tailor every step to fit where you are right now.
Convenient, Local, and Patient-Focused
Our clinic is located right in the heart of Whittier, CA, making it easy for residents across Whittier and Santa Fe Springs to access top-tier chiropractic care. We’ve designed a calm, welcoming space where your healing isn’t just the goal—it’s the focus.
We also respect your time. Flexible scheduling, clear communication, and real, measurable progress are what you can expect from us.
Built for Long-Term Results
We believe the best care doesn’t just make you feel better—it gives you the tools to stay that way. From movement education to strength-building and daily habit coaching, we help you create a body that’s more resilient, balanced, and pain-free.
If you’re looking for a sciatica chiropractor in Whittier, CA who listens, personalizes your care, and helps you take ownership of your recovery—Olympus Sports Therapy is here for you.
Your Next Step Toward a Pain-Free Life
Living with sciatica doesn’t have to be your new normal. If pain is slowing you down or limiting what you love to do, it’s time to take control. As sciatica chiropractors in Whittier, CA, we work closely with patients to relieve nerve pressure, restore movement, and prevent flare-ups.
At Olympus Sports Therapy, our care is built around your goals—not just symptom relief. Whether you’re dealing with a recent injury or chronic discomfort, we’re here to help you move better, feel stronger, and get back to doing life on your terms. Let’s take that next step—together.
FAQs
1. What exactly is sciatica pain?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down each leg. It’s usually caused by nerve compression from a herniated disc, bone spur, or muscle tightness. Symptoms include sharp pain, tingling, numbness, or weakness in the leg or foot.
2. How can chiropractic care help relieve sciatica?
Chiropractors use spinal adjustments to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve. At Olympus Sports Therapy, treatment may include manual decompression, soft tissue release, and corrective exercises. These therapies help improve spinal alignment, reduce nerve irritation, and relieve pain without drugs or surgery.
3. What are common triggers or causes of sciatica?
Sciatica can be triggered by poor posture, prolonged sitting, lifting heavy objects incorrectly, or trauma. Structural issues like a slipped disc, spinal stenosis, or muscle imbalances (especially in the piriformis) are frequent underlying causes. A chiropractic assessment helps pinpoint the root cause before tailoring treatment.
4. How long does it take to feel relief from sciatica?
Relief varies depending on the severity and cause of your sciatica. Some patients experience improvement within a few sessions, while chronic cases may require several weeks. Olympus Sports Therapy focuses on reducing inflammation first, then rebuilding strength and mobility to prevent recurrence.
5. Is sciatica always caused by spinal issues?
No. While spinal compression is common, tight muscles—especially the piriformis—can also irritate the sciatic nerve. This is known as piriformis syndrome. Chiropractors assess muscular and structural imbalances to determine whether the root problem lies in the spine, muscles, or both.
