Why Your Sciatica Keeps Coming Back — And How to Fix It for Good

If you’ve struggled with sciatica—sharp pain shooting down your leg, numbness in your glutes or thigh, or that nagging ache in your low back—you’re not alone. Sciatica affects millions of people each year, and the most common complaint we hear at Boulder Sports Clinic is this:

“The pain goes away for a while… but then it always comes back.”

So why does sciatica often become a revolving door of pain? And more importantly, what can be done to fix it for good?

Let’s break it down.

Sciatica Isn’t Just a Back Problem — It’s a Whole-System Issue

Sciatica is typically caused by compression or irritation of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your low back through your hips and down each leg. This compression can come from:

• Herniated or bulging discs
• Spinal misalignments or joint restrictions
• Muscle imbalances or tightness (especially in the glutes or piriformis)
• Degenerative disc disease
• Poor posture or movement patterns

That’s why treating just one part of the problem—like doing stretches at home or getting a quick chiropractic adjustment—often leads to temporary relief, not lasting results.

The Key to Lasting Sciatica Relief? A Team-Based, Multi-Phase Approach

At Boulder Sports Clinic, we use a unique, integrated care model that combines:

• Chiropractic Care
• Spinal Decompression Therapy
• Physical Therapy + Corrective Exercise

Each plays a critical role at specific stages of your recovery timeline. Most patients who feel recurring episodes of sciatica stop treatment at Phase 1. They get out of pain, but never fix the reason the pain started (i.e. tight hips, weak core, compensations, etc) 

🟢 Phase 1: Reduce Pain and Inflammation (Weeks 0–4)

In the acute phase your body knows something is wrong and goes into protection mode. This leads to muscle spasms and movement restrictions. 

Primary Goals: Calm down nerve irritation, reduce pressure on the discs, relieve acute pain.

Treatments Used:

• Spinal Decompression Therapy gently stretches the spine, creating negative pressure to reduce disc bulge/herniation and nerve compression.
• Chiropractic decreases muscle spasm, restores spinal mobility, improves joint motion, and takes pressure off irritated nerves.
• Laser Therapy can help decrease inflammation and accelerate healing at the cellular level.

✅ This phase gets patients out of pain faster without relying on injections or surgery.

🟡 Phase 2: Restore Movement and Muscle Balance (Weeks 2–6)

During this subacute phase, your pain levels are continually decreasing. This is when you feel like you can begin to return to your life, but feel fragile and are scared of reinjury. 

Primary Goals: Improve mobility, re-engage stabilizing muscles, reduce re-injury risk.

Treatments Used:

• Physical Therapy focused on:
  • Core and glute activation
  • Hamstring and hip flexibility/mobility
  • Posture correction and gait analysis
• Chiropractic is continued as needed to support spinal mobility.
• Decompression Therapy continues to keep the disc from pushing on the nerve root and rehydrate the disc.

✅ This is where we fix the cause of the problem—not just the symptoms. By learning to stabilize your spine while you move, you prevent the future flare ups.

🔹 Phase 3: Build Long-Term Strength and Prevention (Weeks 6–12+)

Primary Goals: Bulletproof the body against future flare-ups, return to full function.

Treatments Used:

• Strength Training through personalized rehab or group strength classes
• Physical Therapy to continue to improve stability and daily posture.
• Decompression Therapy can continue to recondition the disc if needed.

✅ Patients finish care feeling stronger than before the injury—not just “pain-free.”

The Results: No More Guessing. No More Setbacks.

Our patients consistently tell us this approach is different from anything they’ve tried. And that’s because:

• We coordinate care across disciplines, so nothing is missed.
• We use functional movement screening and objective testing to track progress and prevent setbacks.
• We empower patients with tools to stay healthy long-term.

Still Dealing With Sciatica? Let’s Fix It—For Good.

If your sciatica keeps coming back, it’s time for a new plan. Our team is here to guide you through every step—from pain relief to total recovery.

📍 Conveniently located at 3101 Iris Ave, Suite 220, Boulder, CO
📞 Call now to schedule your initial evaluation
🌐 Book online at BoulderSportsClinic.com

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