Sports Chiropractor in San Antonio, TX
Whether you are dealing with a sports injury, recovering from overtraining, or looking to improve your athletic performance, Dr. Luis Arteaga at Ascenxion Rehaband Performance provides one-on-one sports chiropractic care designed to get you back to full function. As a former U.S. Marine and rehab-focused chiropractor, Dr. Arteaga understands the physical demands athletes face — because he has lived them.
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. It is not a diagnosis on its own — it is a symptom of an underlying condition affecting the lumbar spine or the nerve itself.
Most people experience sciatica as a sharp, shooting, or burning pain on one side of the body. It may be accompanied by numbness, tingling, or weakness in the leg or foot. According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, sciatica most commonly results from a herniated disc, bone spur, or spinal stenosis compressing part of the nerve.
The good news is that most cases of sciatica respond well to conservative, non-surgical care when the underlying cause is properly identified and treated.
Common Causes of Sciatica and Low Back Pain
At our San Antonio clinic, Dr. Arteaga evaluates each patient individually to determine the specific cause of pain. The most common causes he treats include:
Herniated or Bulging Discs When the soft inner material of a spinal disc pushes outward and presses on the sciatic nerve root. This is one of the most frequent causes of sciatica in adults between 30 and 50 years old.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Narrowing of the spinal canal that places pressure on the spinal cord and nerve roots, commonly causing pain with standing and walking.
Degenerative Disc Disease Age-related wear that narrows disc height and reduces space for the nerve roots, leading to chronic low back pain and intermittent sciatica.
Piriformis Syndrome The piriformis muscle in the buttock can tighten and compress the sciatic nerve, producing radiating leg pain without a spinal disc problem.
SI Joint Dysfunction The sacroiliac joint connects your pelvis to your spine. When it becomes inflamed or moves abnormally, it can produce pain in the low back, hip, and buttock that mimics sciatica.
Understanding which of these conditions is driving your symptoms is the first and most important step. That is why every new patient at Ascenxion starts with a thorough assessment before any treatment begins.
How We Treat Sciatica at Ascenxion
Dr. Arteaga does not follow a one-size-fits-all protocol. Your treatment plan is built entirely around your assessment findings, your pain presentation, and your functional goals.
Comprehensive Assessment Your first visit includes a detailed history, orthopedic testing, neurological screening, and movement analysis. This determines whether your sciatica is caused by a disc herniation, SI joint dysfunction, muscular compression, or another mechanism — and it guides every treatment decision.
Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization Targeted joint manipulation or mobilization restores normal motion to restricted spinal segments and reduces mechanical pressure on the nerve. Research published in the Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics supports spinal manipulation as an effective intervention for lumbar disc herniation and sciatica.
Soft Tissue Treatment Manual soft tissue therapy addresses the muscles, fascia, and connective tissue around the lumbar spine and hip that contribute to nerve compression and restricted movement.
Dry Needling For patients with significant muscle guarding, trigger points, or piriformis involvement, dry needling can be highly effective in reducing tone and restoring normal tissue function.
Individualized Rehabilitation Every patient receives a custom rehab program designed to restore spinal stability, improve hip and core strength, and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Passive treatment alone is not enough — your body needs to be trained to support itself.
This integrated approach is what separates Ascenxion from clinics that rely solely on adjustments. You can learn more about all the conditions we treat on our dedicated page.
When to See a Chiropractor for Low Back Pain
Not all low back pain requires immediate professional care. However, you should seek evaluation if you experience any of the following: pain that radiates into your leg, foot, or buttock; numbness or tingling in one or both legs; pain that does not improve after two weeks of rest and home care; difficulty standing, walking, or sitting for normal periods; worsening pain with coughing, sneezing, or bending; or any sudden onset of weakness in your leg or foot.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, scheduling an assessment with a chiropractor who specializes in spinal and nerve conditions is the most appropriate next step. Dr. Arteaga has extensive experience treatingpost-operative spine patients and complex disc cases, and he can determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate or if a referral is needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? Take a look at the FAQ or reach out anytime. If you’re feeling ready, go ahead and apply.
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Yes. Chiropractic care is widely supported as a first-line conservative treatment for sciatica. Spinal manipulation, combined with rehabilitation exercises, has been shown to reduce pain and improve function in patients with lumbar disc herniation and nerve irritation. At Ascenxion, Dr. Arteaga uses a comprehensive approach that goes beyond adjustments to include soft tissue work, dry needling, and individualized rehab.
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A chiropractor cannot physically push a disc back into place, but chiropractic treatment can reduce the symptoms caused by a herniated disc by improving spinal mechanics, decreasing nerve pressure, and restoring surrounding muscle function. Many patients with disc herniations recover fully with conservative care and avoid surgery.
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Recovery typically progresses through three phases. The first is pain reduction, where treatment focuses on decreasing inflammation and nerve irritation. The second is functional restoration, where you regain normal movement and strength. The third is performance and prevention, where rehab is designed to keep the problem from returning. The timeline varies by individual, but Dr. Arteaga sets clear benchmarks after your initial assessment.
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Mild sciatica may improve within 4 to 6 visits. Moderate to severe cases involving significant disc pathology or chronic nerve irritation may require 8 to 12 visits over several weeks. Dr. Arteaga monitors progress at each session and adjusts the plan accordingly. You can book your first visit online or call 210-887-7088.
Stop Living with Sciatica
You do not have to wait for it to get worse. Book your appointment with Dr. Arteaga today and find out exactly what is causing your pain — and what it takes to fix it.