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Sciatica — the searing, electric pain that radiates from the lower back down through the buttock and leg — can be completely debilitating. At Pura Vida Chiropractic, we identify and correct the exact spinal or muscular cause of your sciatic nerve compression.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis but a symptom — irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, the body's longest nerve, which runs from the lumbar spine through the piriformis muscle and down each leg. The most common causes are a lumbar disc herniation pressing on a nerve root, lumbar vertebral misalignment, or piriformis muscle entrapment of the sciatic nerve as it passes through the buttock. The result is intense radiating pain, numbness, or weakness that can extend from the low back all the way to the foot. Chiropractic care has an excellent track record of resolving sciatica by addressing the underlying cause of nerve compression.
SOT's pelvic blocking is ideally suited for sciatica because it uses the patient's own body weight to gently decompress the lumbar disc and nerve root — no forceful lumbar manipulation. Dr. Foss also evaluates the sacroiliac joints and piriformis muscle, as entrapment at these levels is often missed in conventional treatment. Category-specific wedge placements allow the pelvis to unwind and create space for the compressed nerve. Concurrent soft-tissue work on the piriformis and surrounding hip musculature releases additional entrapment points. Most sciatica cases respond within a consistent course of care.
At Pura Vida Chiropractic, Dr. Foss uses Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT) — a gentle, category-based system that addresses the spine, pelvis, and craniosacral rhythm as one integrated unit. SOT restores proper biomechanics, reduces nerve interference, and creates the neurological environment your body needs to heal itself.
For many patients, combining spinal correction with regenerative therapies produces faster and more lasting results. Depending on your condition, Dr. Foss may incorporate one or more of the following:
Patented unfocused shock waves spread over a broad treatment area to reduce inflammation, increase blood flow, and activate stem cells — promoting cellular regeneration and long-term pain relief.
Photobiomodulation with a 10–15W Class IV laser delivers therapeutic light energy deep into tissue, reducing inflammation, blocking pain signals, and speeding healing at the cellular level.
Pura Vida Chiropractic is a family-friendly, bilingual (English/Spanish) clinic serving San Antonio, TX. Dr. Dan Foss is trained in Sacro-Occipital Technique (SOT), a comprehensive chiropractic system that addresses the whole body — not just the area of pain. We combine hands-on spinal correction with the latest regenerative technology to help patients resolve the root cause of their condition rather than masking symptoms.
We are insurance friendly. Bring your insurance card and ID to the office to verify how your insurance can contribute to your care. New patient appointments are available promptly.
Comparing options? See how to choose a chiropractor near me in San Antonio or read our guide on how to choose the best chiropractor in San Antonio.
Sciatic pain is produced when the sciatic nerve roots (L4–S3) are compressed or irritated as they exit the lumbar spine and sacrum. The most common drivers are lumbar disc herniation, piriformis muscle entrapment, SI joint dysfunction, and sacral torsion patterns that pull the pelvis out of neutral and load the nerve unevenly.
SOT chiropractic identifies the specific category of pelvic dysfunction driving the nerve compression — Category I (dural torsion), Category II (SI joint instability), or Category III (lumbar disc involvement) — and applies a targeted, gentle correction protocol for that category. SoftWave shockwave therapy and Class IV laser are added when nerve inflammation needs to settle alongside the structural correction.
Most sciatica patients feel measurable relief within the first 3–5 visits. A full corrective course typically runs 10–20 visits over 6–12 weeks, depending on whether disc involvement is present. Cases involving acute disc herniation may resolve faster with SoftWave therapy combined with SOT adjustments.
Yes — provided the chiropractor uses gentle, low-force techniques like SOT rather than aggressive rotational manipulation. Dr. Foss reviews imaging when available and screens for red flags (saddle anesthesia, bowel/bladder changes, progressive weakness) before any disc-protocol care. SOT is widely used in disc cases precisely because it avoids the rotational forces that can aggravate disc tissue.
Schedule your new patient appointment with Dr. Foss at Pura Vida Chiropractic in San Antonio, TX. We'll identify the root cause and build a personalized care plan.
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