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Sciatica Treatment
Helping Boulder clients find non-surgical treatment to resolve sciatic nerve pain at the source, so you can get back to an active, pain-free lifestyle.
If you’re dealing with pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your buttock or leg, physical therapy can offer real relief without the need for surgery.
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But not all sciatica treatment is the same. In fact, the wrong approach, whether from physical therapy, chiropractic care, or elsewhere, can actually make sciatica worse.
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If you’ve tried treatment before and didn’t get the results you were hoping for, you’re not alone.
Lasting relief starts with understanding the true cause of your symptoms and taking a more personalized approach.
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As a spine specialist with over 20 years of experience and a proven method for diagnosing and treating back pain, particularly sciatica, I’ve helped hundreds of patients find lasting relief. My focus is on addressing sciatica at its source and providing care that truly works for you.
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Ready to get out of pain?
Who This Is For
This approach to sciatica treatment is designed for active adults and athletes who want to overcome persistent sciatic nerve pain and find more than temporary relief. Most importantly I support my clients in addressing the root cause of their sciatica pain.
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You’re experiencing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in your buttock or leg
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Your symptoms have persisted despite rest, stretching, or previous treatment
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You’ve tried physical therapy, chiropractic care, or other approaches without lasting results
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Your pain is limiting your ability to sit, stand, exercise, or stay active
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You want a clear diagnosis and a personalized plan—not a generic program
You may benefit from this approach if:
Why Sciatica Keeps Coming Back
Sciatica can be frustrating, especially when it seems to improve temporarily but then returns again.
In many cases, this happens because the underlying cause of the nerve irritation hasn’t been fully identified or addressed.
Common reasons symptoms persist include:
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Poor treatment advice such as
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Treatment focused only on relieving symptoms rather than identifying the source of the problem
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Incomplete rehabilitation of strength, mobility, and movement patterns
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Ongoing stress on the spine or surrounding tissues from posture, activity, or daily habits
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Increased sensitivity of the nerve that hasn’t been properly desensitized
Without a clear understanding of what is driving your symptoms, it’s easy to fall into a cycle of temporary relief followed by recurrence.
Symptoms of Sciatica
Sciatica can present in a variety of ways depending on the individual and the underlying cause. Symptoms often affect one side of the body and may vary in intensity.
You may be experiencing sciatica if you notice:​
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Pain: Often described as sharp, shooting, or aching.
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Numbness: Loss of feeling or a pins-and-needles sensation.
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Tingling: A prickling feeling in the affected areas.
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Weakness: Leg weakness or sometimes a condition called foot drop.
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Worsened Pain with Movement: Pain that gets worse with certain movements, like sitting, bending, or lifting, but often improves when lying down.
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Radiating Symptoms: Pain that starts in the lower back and travels into the buttock, down the leg, and sometimes into the calf or foot.
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Temperature Sensations: Unusual feelings of heat or cold in the affected areas.
What is Sciatica and What Causes It?
Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, typically from the low back or buttock down into the leg. It most often affects one side of the body and can vary in intensity depending on the underlying cause.
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Sciatica is not a diagnosis itself, but rather a set of symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve. However, it is not simply a nerve problem.
Common causes of sciatica include:
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Disc bulges or herniations in the lumbar spine
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Degenerative changes in the spine that narrow the space around the nerve
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Muscle-related compression, such as from the piriformis or surrounding tissues
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Joint dysfunction or movement limitations affecting the low back or pelvis
In many cases, sciatica is influenced by a combination of factors rather than a single issue. This is why a thorough evaluation is essential to determine what is truly driving your symptoms and how to address it effectively.
My Sciatica Treatment Approach
Sciatica is a complex condition that requires careful, individualized treatment. A one-size-fits-all approach often misses the true cause of the problem and can sometimes make symptoms worse.
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The key to effective care is an accurate diagnosis, which starts with a thorough evaluation. I take the time to understand your full history and presentation, beginning with an hour-long initial session and a detailed intake process.
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A big part of treatment also involves temporarily modifying positions and activities that are contributing to irritation. Identifying and adjusting these can allow inflammation to settle and create the conditions needed for healing.
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From there, I incorporate targeted exercises to improve strength and flexibility, helping to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve and support long-term recovery.
Your Treatment May Include:
Treatment is always tailored to your specific needs rather than following a standard protocol, but the main steps of my treatment protocol include:​
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Evaluation - Every treatment begins with a comprehensive evaluation to determine what is truly causing your pain.
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Targeted Exercise - I create a customized exercise plan with specific movements to improve strength, mobility, and flexibility, helping to reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve.
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Manual Therapy - Hands-on techniques are used to reduce muscle tension, relieve pressure on the nerve, and improve how your body moves.
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Advanced Technologies - When appropriate, I incorporate treatments such as electrical muscle stimulation (EMS), shockwave therapy, dry needling, and red light therapy to support healing and recovery.
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Activity Coaching - I guide you on how to adjust your daily activities and movement patterns to reduce irritation and prevent symptoms from returning.
A More Individualized Approach to Sciatica Treatment
With over 20 years of experience treating musculoskeletal conditions, I’ve worked with a wide range of patients dealing with sciatica, from more straightforward cases to those that have not improved with previous treatment.
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Sciatica doesn’t come from the same source for everyone, which is why treatment needs to be specific to the individual.
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I take the time to understand your full picture: how your symptoms started, how your body is moving, and what may be contributing to the irritation of the nerve. From there, treatment is tailored to address those specific factors rather than following a standard protocol.
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This approach is especially important for people who have tried other treatments without lasting results, or who want to return to a higher level of activity without ongoing limitations.
Ready to Get Started?
If you’re dealing with ongoing sciatica and want a clear plan to address it, the first step is a thorough evaluation.
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During your initial session, we’ll go through your history, assess how your body is moving, and begin identifying the factors contributing to your symptoms.
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From there, I’ll outline a personalized plan to help you move forward with confidence and get back to the activities that are important to you.​
FAQs About Sciatica
Who is the best professional to see for treating sciatica?
There are different types of professionals who treat sciatica, each with their own approach. Chiropractors focus on adjusting the spine, physiatrists may use injections or medications, and orthopedic surgeons might suggest surgery. If your goal is to resolve sciatica without relying on medication or surgery, working with a physical therapist who focuses on thorough evaluation and root cause treatment is often the most effective option. As a physical therapist with over extensive experience treating spine conditions, I offer a comprehensive approach to sciatica care. My treatment toolbox includes proven exercises, activity coaching, advanced technologies, and hands-on techniques similar to chiropractic adjustments. This combination, backed by a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis, allows me to effectively help you relieve sciatica pain and get back to your normal activities. The plan I develop is always tailored to your specific needs.
How long does it take sciatica to heal with physical therapy?
Recovery time depends on the underlying cause and how long symptoms have been present. Some cases improve quickly, while others require a longer, more structured approach. In my experience, once the true cause is identified and treated appropriately, most people begin to see meaningful improvement within the first few sessions It’s important to emphasize that not all physical therapy is the same. When dealing with a condition as complex as sciatica, you need to work with a skilled and experienced therapist to get the best results. On average, most cases take about 6-8 weeks to see significant improvement. This usually involves a combination of clinical visits, consistency with a home exercise program, and following advice on modifying activities and postures that might make your condition worse.
How do I stop unbearable sciatica pain?
Severe sciatica pain is often a sign that the nerve is highly irritated. While rest or temporary relief strategies may help short term, lasting relief comes from identifying and reducing the source of that irritation. Together, we’ll uncover the specifics of your unique case so I can provide the right solution. The first step is a thorough evaluation and accurate diagnosis. From there, we identify which postures and movements may be making your sciatica worse. In nearly every case, certain activities or positions are contributing to ongoing irritation and discomfort. Once we identify and adjust these triggers, you’ll often see meaningful improvement within days or weeks. From there, we focus on building strength, flexibility, and mobility where it’s needed most. To support your progress, I use advanced treatments, modern technology, and hands-on techniques in the clinic. I also teach you how to move and adjust daily activities so you can maintain progress and prevent the issue from returning.
Can Sciatica Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes, sciatica can be treated effectively without surgery. The key is to avoid doing anything that might make the issue worse, like improper exercises or inadequate advice on how to adjust your activities. Many of my clients are surprised to discover that they’ve been unknowingly doing things that inflame their spine and nerves, continuing the cycle of sciatica pain. With the right evaluation and treatment plan, physical therapy can often help reduce pain, improve mobility, and prevent symptoms from returning.
Why Does My Sciatica Keep Coming Back?
Sciatica often returns when the underlying cause hasn’t been fully addressed. Many treatments focus on short-term symptom relief without identifying what’s actually driving the irritation. Without a clear diagnosis and a plan that addresses strength, mobility, and movement patterns, it’s common for symptoms to improve temporarily and then come back.
Why Choose Colin O’Banion Physical Therapy for Sciatica Treatment?
With over 20 years of experience as a Doctor of Physical Therapy, I specialize in treating sciatica without surgery. My one-on-one care means that your treatment is customized to your specific needs, helping you avoid surgery, medications, and injections whenever possible.
During my 17 years in fast-paced New York City clinics, including my own practice, I helped hundreds of patients find long-term relief and avoid surgery. Working in an environment where people rely heavily on walking gave me the perfect setting to refine my skills and develop the treatment approach I now use in Boulder, CO.