Midway Chiropractic: Helping Des Moines, WA Patients with Sciatica

Sciatica is more than just back pain. It is a specific type of nerve pain that radiates from the lower back, through the hips and buttocks, and down one leg. The pain can range from a mild ache to a sharp, burning sensation or even excruciating discomfort. For those living with it in the Seattle area, the constant pain can make it difficult to walk, sit, or find any comfortable position. At Midway Chiropractic in Des Moines, WA, a multi-disciplinary team of providers uses a comprehensive approach to help patients find relief from sciatic nerve pain.

TL;DR

• Verified patient outcomes for sciatica at Midway Chiropractic show significant pain reduction.
• In one verified case, a patient with a persistent sciatic problem reported a 100% reduction in pain after just a few treatments.
• Patients with chronic sciatica and impaired posture have reported noticeable improvements and early mobility gains within the first few visits of their care plan.
• The clinic combines chiropractic adjustments with advanced therapies like spinal decompression, soft tissue techniques, and acupuncture to create a personalized treatment plan.

What the outcomes show

At ChiropracticResults.com, we gather verified outcomes from clinics to help patients understand what is possible. For patients with sciatica, the data from Midway Chiropractic highlights a clear path toward relief.

Based on a sample of verified patient cases, the clinic has demonstrated notable success. In a case where pain was numerically tracked, the patient achieved a 100% reduction in pain levels. While mobility gains were not tracked with a numerical percentage, patient stories repeatedly mention significant improvements in movement and posture. For example, patients who had been walking "hunched over" for months due to sciatic pain reported noticeable improvement and the ability to move more freely early in their treatment plans.

These outcomes underscore the clinic's focus on delivering results. By addressing the underlying cause of sciatic nerve irritation, the team at Midway Chiropractic helps patients move beyond managing pain to resolving the problem.

How Midway Chiropractic approaches Sciatica

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes pinched or irritated, often by a herniated disc, bone spur on the spine, or narrowing of the spine (spinal stenosis). A successful treatment plan must address these root causes. Midway Chiropractic utilizes a multi-disciplinary team and a wide range of modern techniques to build a comprehensive care plan tailored to your specific condition.

Your treatment may involve a combination of the following:

• Chiropractic Adjustments: At the core of treatment are spinal adjustments performed by the clinic's experienced chiropractors, including Dr. Craig Kagetsu, Dr. Xavier Ibarreta, Dr. Craig Ullman, and Dr. Martin Carrillo. These gentle, controlled manipulations help restore proper motion to the spinal joints, relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve and improving overall spinal function.
• DRX9000 Spinal Decompression: For sciatica caused by disc herniations or bulges, Midway Chiropractic offers non-surgical spinal decompression with the DRX9000 system. This technology applies a gentle, computer-controlled traction force to the spine, creating negative pressure within the disc. This can help retract the bulging or herniated material, taking pressure off the nerve root and allowing the disc to heal.
• Advanced Soft Tissue Therapies: Sciatica often involves tight, inflamed muscles and fascia in the lower back, glutes, and legs. The clinic’s providers are certified in specialized techniques to address this. Active Release Technique (ART) is a movement-based massage technique that treats problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments, and nerves. The Graston Technique uses specially designed stainless steel instruments to detect and treat areas of scar tissue or adhesions in the muscles and fascia that can contribute to nerve irritation.
• Class IV Laser Therapy: This therapy uses specific wavelengths of light to penetrate deep into tissues. The light energy helps to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and accelerate cellular repair and healing around the irritated sciatic nerve and surrounding structures.
• Acupuncture: Shuyao Xiang, the clinic's licensed acupuncturist, uses acupuncture to manage sciatic pain and promote healing. By inserting fine, sterile needles into specific points on the body, acupuncture can help release natural pain-relieving chemicals, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow to the affected area.
• Rehabilitation and Exercise: Lasting relief involves strengthening the body to prevent re-injury. Jimmie Doss, the clinic's Athletic Trainer, guides patients through customized rehabilitation programs. These exercises focus on core stabilization, improving flexibility, and strengthening the muscles that support the spine, creating long-term stability.
• DynaRom Testing: To get an objective measure of your progress, the clinic may use DynaRom, or Dynamic Range of Motion testing. This tool simultaneously measures muscle activity and your range of motion, helping the provider see exactly which movements trigger muscle guarding and pain.

This integrated approach ensures that treatment addresses not just the spinal joints but also the discs, muscles, and nerves involved in your sciatica.

Patient cases (verified outcomes)

The following stories are from real patients who received care for sciatica at Midway Chiropractic.

Case 1: Relief from a Persistent, Worsening Problem

One patient came to Midway Chiropractic with a persistent sciatic problem. Despite having seen other chiropractors in the past, their condition had only continued to worsen, impacting their daily life. The team at Midway implemented a new care approach. After only a few treatments, the patient reported that the sciatic problem was completely resolved, resulting in a 100% reduction in their pain.

Case 2: From Hunched Over to Moving Freely

Another patient had been suffering from sciatica for several months, and the pain was so severe it forced them to walk in a hunched-over posture. The clinical team established a three-month treatment plan designed to address the root cause of the nerve compression. The patient experienced significant progress very early in the process, reporting noticeable improvement and early mobility gains within the first three visits alone.

What to expect at your first visit

Your first visit to Midway Chiropractic is a comprehensive, fact-finding appointment designed to get to the bottom of your sciatic pain.

You will start by discussing your health history and the specifics of your symptoms with one of the doctors. They will want to know when the pain started, what it feels like, and what activities make it better or worse.

Next, the doctor will perform a thorough physical examination. This will include orthopedic and neurological tests to assess your reflexes, muscle strength, and sensation, as well as an evaluation of your posture and range of motion. To get a complete picture of your spinal health, the provider may recommend an on-site X-ray, which can be performed by the clinic's licensed X-ray technician.

Based on all this information, your doctor will explain their diagnosis, discuss whether you are a good candidate for their care, and propose a personalized treatment plan. They will walk you through the recommended therapies, the goals of treatment, and the expected timeframe for recovery.

FAQ

1. What is sciatica? Sciatica isn't a diagnosis itself, but a symptom of an underlying medical condition. It refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. It most commonly occurs when the nerve is compressed by a herniated disc or spinal stenosis.

2. How does chiropractic care help sciatica? Chiropractic care for sciatica focuses on relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve and restoring proper movement to the spine. This is achieved through a combination of spinal adjustments to realign vertebrae, spinal decompression to reduce disc pressure, and soft tissue therapies like ART and Graston Technique to release tight muscles that may be contributing to the nerve irritation.

3. Is spinal decompression safe for sciatica? Yes, non-surgical spinal decompression like that provided by the DRX9000 is a safe, gentle, and effective therapy for many people with sciatica caused by disc bulges or herniations. It is a non-invasive alternative to more aggressive procedures. Your provider at Midway Chiropractic will conduct a thorough examination to determine if you are a suitable candidate for this treatment.

4. How many visits will I need? The number of visits required varies for each person and depends on several factors, including the severity and cause of your sciatica, how long you've had the problem, your overall health, and your commitment to the treatment plan. Some patients, as shown in the case studies, experience relief within just a few visits, while others with more chronic conditions may follow a longer-term plan over several months. Your doctor will discuss a recommended care schedule with you after your initial examination.

5. What can I do at home to help my sciatica? Your provider will likely give you specific advice, but general at-home care often includes using ice packs on the painful area for 15-20 minutes at a time to reduce inflammation. They may also recommend specific stretches and exercises to improve flexibility and strengthen your core and back muscles. It's also important to pay attention to your posture, avoid prolonged sitting, and use proper lifting techniques to avoid re-aggravating the nerve.

Ready to see if we can help?

If you are struggling with the debilitating pain of sciatica, the multi-disciplinary team at Midway Chiropractic may be able to help. Their comprehensive and evidence-based approach is designed to provide better results, faster.

To learn more about the clinic and its providers, please view the Midway Chiropractic profile on ChiropracticResults.com or contact their Des Moines, WA office to schedule a consultation.