Sciatica
At our Raynham, MA clinic
Radiating leg pain from the low back — non-surgical relief with spinal decompression.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis — it's a symptom. It describes pain, numbness, or tingling that radiates from the low back down the leg because a nerve root is compressed or irritated. The most common driver is a bulging or herniated disc, but SI joint dysfunction and piriformis syndrome can mimic true sciatica. The treatment plan depends entirely on the actual cause.
Understanding sciatica
A irritated nerve root, not just a tight muscle.
Sciatica describes pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the low back through the buttock and down the back of the leg. It happens when a nerve root — most commonly L4, L5, or S1 — is compressed or irritated by a bulging disc, bone spurs, or inflammation. True sciatica is different from simple hamstring or glute tightness because the symptoms follow the nerve's path. At Regenerative Medicine of Raynham, we identify the exact level and driver of the nerve irritation with a detailed exam and imaging, then use non-surgical decompression, laser, and rehab to take pressure off the nerve and keep it that way.
Quick summary
What you'll learn
- The difference between true sciatica and 'sciatica-like' pain
- How non-surgical spinal decompression takes pressure off the nerve
- Why epidural injections are usually a bridge, not a solution
- Which sciatica patients need surgery — and which don't
- What a typical 8–10 week decompression protocol looks like
If this sounds like you
The daily struggles patients with sciatica tell us about.
Symptoms we see
- Pain radiating from the low back into the buttock and leg
- Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
- Weakness lifting the foot or pushing off
- Pain worse with sitting or bending forward
What may be causing it
- Lumbar disc herniation or bulge
- Foraminal stenosis
- SI joint dysfunction (pseudo-sciatica)
- Piriformis syndrome
- Facet joint arthritis with nerve irritation
Risk factors
What raises the likelihood.
- Desk work with poor ergonomics
- Repetitive lifting or twisting
- Prior disc injury
- Deconditioned core and glutes
Traditional options
Common treatments — what they do and don't do.
NSAIDs and muscle relaxers
Reduce symptoms; don't decompress the nerve.
Epidural steroid injections
Useful in an acute flare; not a long-term strategy.
Physical therapy
Foundational; may plateau if disc pressure persists.
Microdiscectomy surgery
Effective for the right patient; carries recovery and revision risk.
How we approach it
A plan tailored to your case.
- 1
Neurologic exam and imaging review
- 2
Non-surgical spinal decompression to off-load the disc
- 3
Laser therapy to reduce nerve inflammation
- 4
PEMF to support tissue recovery
- 5
Rehab to build core and glute stability
Candidacy
Who may be a candidate
- Disc-driven sciatica without severe weakness or bladder issues
- Sciatica after failed conservative care
- Post-surgical patients with residual radicular pain
- Sciatica in patients wanting to avoid surgery
Your care journey
What treatment typically looks like.
Week 1
Exam, imaging review, decompression protocol design.
Weeks 1–5
Decompression 2–3× weekly, laser therapy, activity modification.
Weeks 5–10
Add core and glute strengthening; taper decompression frequency.
Months 3+
Maintenance care to keep the nerve happy.
Therapies we may recommend
Advanced, state-of-the-art therapies for lasting relief.
Spinal Decompression
Computer-controlled traction that relieves pressure on discs and nerves.
ExploreLaser Therapy
Class IV photobiomodulation to reduce pain and accelerate tissue healing.
ExplorePEMF Therapy
Pulsed electromagnetic field therapy to support cellular repair and reduce pain.
ExploreShockwave Therapy
Acoustic-wave therapy that stimulates healing in chronic tendons and soft tissue.
ExploreCondition-specific answers
Questions about sciatica
Answers to what patients most often ask about sciatica and how we approach it. Don't see yours? Call us — we're happy to talk it through.
Honest answers
Common questions about regenerative medicine
The broader questions patients ask before scheduling — efficacy, safety, candidacy, longevity, and cost. Answered openly.
Go deeper
Still have doubts about regenerative medicine?
Read our full honest answer — including why most doctors don't offer it, how it compares to surgery and cortisone, and why patients choose us.
Serving southeastern Massachusetts
Nearby towns we serve for sciatica.
Patients travel to our Raynham office from across Bristol, Plymouth, and Norfolk counties. Get directions and local details for your town below.
Raynham, MA
0–5 min from our Raynham office via South Street West / Route 138
Taunton, MA
10–15 min from our Raynham office via Route 138 north or Route 44 west
Bridgewater, MA
10–15 min from our Raynham office via Route 104 east / Route 24
Middleborough, MA
15–25 min from our Raynham office via Route 44 west or Route 105 to Route 44
Easton, MA
15–20 min from our Raynham office via Route 138 north or Route 106
Ready to start?
Talk to us about your sciatica
Talk through your goals, your imaging, and what regenerative medicine can — and can't — do for you. Honest answers, no pressure.