Sciatica is a nerve issue—not just a back problem. It begins in the lower spine, where the sciatic nerve branches out and runs down the back of each leg. When this nerve gets irritated or compressed—by a disc, tight muscles, or joint misalignment—you’ll feel it.
That pain can show up as:
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A sharp or burning sensation in the lower back
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Discomfort that travels down the leg
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Tingling, numbness, or even weakness in one side of your body
It’s common. It’s frustrating. And for many people, it doesn’t go away with rest or pain meds. That’s why they often start searching for natural treatment options, including chiropractic care.
How Chiropractic Fits into Sciatica Treatment
Chiropractors are trained to identify structural issues that affect your nervous system—especially things like spinal misalignments or disc movement that can press on the sciatic nerve.
At Herres Chiropractic, we don’t just crack backs and hope for the best. Dr. Matt Herres uses a step-by-step method to evaluate what’s causing your sciatica and what kind of pressure your body is under. We look at alignment, movement, and overall function before any adjustments are made.
When done right, chiropractic care can:
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Relieve nerve pressure
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Improve how your spine moves
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Reduce the need for medication
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Support faster recovery
Can Chiropractic Make It Worse?
This is a real concern—and a fair one. It’s not uncommon for people to feel sore or slightly uncomfortable after their first adjustment. But that’s not the same as “worse.” It’s often your body responding to change.
If your chiropractor rushes into treatment without assessing your condition properly—or uses aggressive techniques not suited for your body—that’s when things can go wrong. That’s not how we operate here.
Dr. Herres takes his time, listens, and makes sure you’re a good candidate for chiropractic care before starting anything. We keep communication open and focus on adjusting gently and precisely—especially when nerves are involved.
When to Be Careful with Chiropractic Adjustments
Not every case of sciatica is the same—and that’s important. Sometimes, the cause is straightforward, like a muscle pulling the pelvis out of position. Other times, there’s more going on, such as a herniated disc or spinal degeneration. In those cases, extra caution is essential.
At Herres Chiropractic, we don’t take risks with your health. Before any adjustment, we make sure:
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There are no red flags in your symptoms (like loss of bladder control or severe weakness)
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Imaging (if needed) backs up a safe plan
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Your medical history is carefully reviewed
We believe the right adjustment starts with the right diagnosis. If chiropractic isn’t the best option for your type of sciatica, we’ll be honest about it and guide you toward the care you need.
How We Keep Sciatica Care Safe at Herres Chiropractic
Safety isn’t just a checklist—it’s how we practice every day. We use gentle, proven techniques that are adjusted to your comfort level and your specific condition. Some of the ways we protect your spine include:
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Custom care plans: No cookie-cutter treatments. Your plan is built around how your body responds.
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Gentle adjustments: Especially for sciatica, we use targeted, low-force techniques like flexion-distraction and drop-table adjustments.
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Progress tracking: We don’t guess. We monitor how your body improves and adjust our approach as needed.
Whether you’re in intense pain or just starting to feel that nerve irritation, our job is to help you recover without adding stress to your system.
What to Expect from Your First Appointment
If you’re considering chiropractic care for sciatica but feel a bit unsure—don’t worry. Your first visit with Dr. Matt Herres is all about comfort, clarity, and building trust.
Here’s what happens:
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We listen. You’ll tell us what you’ve been feeling, what makes it better or worse, and what you’ve already tried.
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We examine. We check your spine, movement, nerve response, and posture. Imaging may be requested if needed.
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We explain. You’ll get a clear answer on whether chiropractic care is appropriate—and if it is, we’ll walk you through how we’ll help.
No pressure. No rushed decisions. Just a personalized plan built on knowledge and experience.
The Benefits of Choosing Chiropractic for Sciatica
For many patients at our Pasco office, chiropractic care becomes the turning point in their recovery from sciatica. Why? Because it treats more than just symptoms—it helps correct the cause.
Here’s what our patients often report:
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Pain relief without medication: No dependency on painkillers, just steady, natural recovery.
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Better movement and posture: Adjustments help reduce nerve pressure, making everyday activities feel smoother.
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Lower risk of recurrence: As the spine realigns and stabilizes, flare-ups tend to become less frequent.
At Herres Chiropractic, our approach isn’t just about getting you out of pain. It’s about helping your body stay well long after the pain is gone.
Chiropractic Care vs. Other Options
If you’ve been researching treatments for sciatica, you’ve probably come across a range of options—from physical therapy and injections to surgery. So how does chiropractic compare?
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Physical therapy can be great for strengthening, but without spinal alignment, it may miss the root issue.
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Injections can mask pain, but they don’t fix what’s causing it.
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Surgery may help in severe cases but comes with risks and downtime.
Chiropractic care offers a middle ground—non-invasive, drug-free, and often very effective. It works with your body’s natural healing processes. And it’s tailored to your specific needs and progress.
Final Thoughts and Next Steps
Sciatica can be unpredictable, painful, and exhausting—but it doesn’t have to define your life. If you’ve been wondering whether a chiropractor can make sciatica worse, know this: when done properly and professionally, chiropractic care is one of the safest, most effective options available.
At Herres Chiropractic, your care starts with understanding and ends with a custom path to relief—without pressure, without guesswork.
Ready to feel better?
Contact us today for your wellness chiropractic consultation.
Visit us at:
7007 Burden Blvd. Ste. 104, Pasco WA 99301
Call: 509-543-1123
