Sciatica, Low Back & Disc Pain
Sciatica, low back and disc pain: whole-body chiropractic care
Low back pain, or pain that travels down one leg, can make sitting, sleeping, working, and playing the sports you love feel like a chore. Many people come to Wholistic Life after trying rest, physical therapy, or quick adjust-and-leave visits, and some arrive with an imaging report that mentions a disc.
Our approach looks at your whole body, from your feet to your neck, and focuses on structure and strength rather than a single sore spot. We'll be honest with you about what we do, what we don't do, and when a physician should be involved.
Important - please read first:
Go to the ER or see a physician first - before any chiropractic visit - if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin/inner thighs ('saddle' area), sudden or worsening leg weakness or foot drop, back pain after a fall, car accident or other trauma, back pain with fever or feeling unwell, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or severe pain that doesn't ease with rest or position change.
When to go to the ER or see a physician first
Your safety comes first. Go to the ER or see a physician first - before any chiropractic visit - if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin/inner thighs ('saddle' area), sudden or worsening leg weakness or foot drop, back pain after a fall, car accident or other trauma, back pain with fever or feeling unwell, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or severe pain that doesn't ease with rest or position change.
If anything in your history or assessment suggests you need medical evaluation, we will refer you to a physician.
Sciatica, low back pain and "disc" findings - in plain language
Sciatica is a word people use for pain, tingling, or numbness that runs from the low back or buttock down the leg, along the path of the sciatic nerve. It describes a pattern of symptoms rather than one single cause.
Low back pain can come from many sources, and it often has more than one contributing factor, including how you sit, move, lift, and carry yourself.
Disc findings. If an MRI or X-ray report mentions a herniated, bulging, or "slipped" disc, that finding is something to understand with your physician. We want to be clear: our care does not repair, reshape, or reverse a disc. What we do is assess how your whole body is working and care for your structure, strength, and movement, and we work alongside your medical care, not instead of it.
We can't diagnose the cause of your pain from a web page. That's what a careful conversation and assessment are for.
Why we look at the whole body, from feet to neck
Your low back sits in the middle of a chain. Below it are your pelvis, hips, knees, and feet. Above it are your mid-back, upper back, and neck. When one part of the chain isn't doing its share, other parts, often the low back, can end up carrying extra load.
That is why your visit includes a look at posture, movement, and structure through the whole frame, not just where it hurts.
Our approach: full-skeleton adjustment and strength-correcting alignment
Full-skeleton adjustment. When adjustments are appropriate for you, we assess and adjust the whole skeleton - pelvis, hips, mid and upper spine, neck, and feet - not just the sore spot.
A strength-correcting approach to alignment. Rather than relying on repeated quick adjustments alone, our approach focuses on supporting your spine, including the neck (cervical spine), to hold better alignment through strength and correction. This is how we work; every body responds differently, and we'll talk honestly with you about what we see along the way.
Foot strengthening: a stronger base so the body in between gets stronger
Your feet are the base for your knees, hips, pelvis, and low back. When that base is weak or unstable, the structures above it compensate.
Strengthening your feet is one part of building a stronger structure in between. We'll show you simple ways to work on that foundation as part of your care.
Supporting work: visceral manipulation and lymphatic mobilization
Some patients also receive gentle, hands-on supporting work alongside their adjustments:
- Visceral manipulation - gentle manual work around the abdomen and pelvis region, focused on the organs and the tissues that connect them.
- Lymphatic mobilization - light, rhythmic techniques that support the body's natural fluid movement.
These are supportive techniques that may be part of your visit when they fit your needs.
Optional supports: mild hyperbaric and PEMF
Some patients choose to add optional wellness sessions for relaxation and recovery support. They are never required and are not a treatment for sciatica or discs.
- Mild hyperbaric (mild HBOT) - sessions in an Airvida soft chamber at about 1.2-1.5 ATA, using air with optional oxygen from a concentrator by mask. This is a mild wellness session, not hospital hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Available at both clinics. Learn more
- PEMF (pulsed electromagnetic field) sessions - a gentle, non-invasive wellness session. Available at both clinics. Learn more
- Red light therapy - available at our North Miami Beach clinic only. Learn more
Interested in the bigger picture of your health and lifestyle? Functional wellness with Dr. Lauren is available in-office at our North Miami Beach clinic and by telehealth for Boca Raton patients.
What your first visit involves
- Conversation. We talk about your history, your symptoms, what makes them better or worse, and what you'd like to get back to doing. If you have MRI or X-ray reports, please bring them.
- Safety screening. We review your history for warning signs that mean you should see a physician first.
- Whole-body assessment. We look at posture, movement, and structure from your feet to your neck.
- Adjustment, when appropriate. If adjustments are right for you, we care for the whole skeleton. Gentler options are available.
- Your plan. We talk through strengthening (including your feet), whether supporting work or optional sessions fit you, and whether a referral to a physician makes sense.
Boca Raton and North Miami Beach clinics - hours and booking
Both clinics welcome patients of all ages, from newborns up.
Wholistic Life - North Miami Beach
15524 Biscayne Blvd
North Miami Beach, FL 33160
Phone: (561) 940-2560
Door hours (both clinics) - by appointment only
Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Choose your clinic and see available times in Jane:
Book onlineQuestions? Call (561) 940-2560 or email care@wholisticlife.co.
Frequently asked questions
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Many people come to us with sciatica-type symptoms. We start by screening for warning signs, then assess your whole body, from your feet to your neck. When adjustments are appropriate, we care for the whole skeleton and focus on strength and alignment. Everyone responds differently, so we can't promise a specific result, but we will explain what we find and how we would approach your care.
Should I see a chiropractor or a doctor for a herniated or bulging disc?
If you have any warning signs, see a physician or go to the ER first. For disc findings, your physician is the right person to explain your imaging and medical options. Our care does not repair, reshape, or reverse a disc. What we offer is a whole-body assessment and care focused on structure, strength, and movement, alongside your medical care, and we will refer you to a physician whenever your assessment suggests it.
What are the warning signs that back pain needs the ER or a physician right away?
Go to the ER or see a physician first - before any chiropractic visit - if you have loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin/inner thighs ('saddle' area), sudden or worsening leg weakness or foot drop, back pain after a fall, car accident or other trauma, back pain with fever or feeling unwell, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer, or severe pain that doesn't ease with rest or position change.
What does a chiropractor at Wholistic Life do for low back pain?
We listen to your history, screen for warning signs, and assess posture, movement, and structure through your whole body. When appropriate, we adjust the whole skeleton rather than just the low back, and we focus on strength, including foot strengthening, to support better alignment. Some patients also receive gentle supporting work such as visceral manipulation or lymphatic mobilization.
Why do you look at my feet and neck when my low back hurts?
Your low back sits in the middle of a chain that runs from your feet to your neck. If the base or the top of that chain isn't supporting you well, the low back often compensates. Your feet are the base, so strengthening them is part of helping the body in between get stronger.
What happens at my first visit, and should I bring my MRI or X-rays?
Yes, please bring any MRI, X-ray, or medical reports you have. We talk about your history and symptoms, screen for anything that needs a physician first, and assess your whole body. If adjustments are appropriate, we care for the whole skeleton, then talk through strengthening and whether supporting work fits. Learn more
Are mild hyperbaric or PEMF sessions part of back-pain care?
Only if you want them. Mild hyperbaric (Airvida soft chamber, about 1.2-1.5 ATA, not hospital hyperbaric oxygen therapy) and PEMF are optional wellness sessions some patients add for relaxation and recovery support. They are not a treatment for sciatica or discs and are never required. Red light therapy is available at our North Miami Beach clinic only.
Where are your clinics and how do I book?
Boca Raton: 3850 NW 2nd Ave #22, Boca Raton, FL 33431. North Miami Beach: 15524 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach, FL 33160. Door hours are Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-6:00 PM and Friday 9:00 AM-4:00 PM; closed Saturday and Sunday. Book online and choose your clinic at wholisticlife.co/book, or call (561) 940-2560.
Book a visit
Ready for a whole-body look at your low back?
If you have any warning signs above, see a physician or go to the ER first.
- Book online: wholisticlife.co/book - choose Boca Raton or North Miami Beach and see available times in Jane
- Call: (561) 940-2560
- First visit: wholisticlife.co/body-map
Related: Neck pain & tension headaches
Wholistic Life - Boca Raton | 3850 NW 2nd Ave #22, Boca Raton, FL 33431
Wholistic Life - North Miami Beach | 15524 Biscayne Blvd, North Miami Beach, FL 33160
(561) 940-2560 | care@wholisticlife.co
By appointment only | Door hours: Mon-Thu 9:00 AM-6:00 PM | Fri 9:00 AM-4:00 PM | Sat & Sun closed
