Sciatica Treatment in Lighthouse Point, FL — Non-Surgical Nerve Pain Relief

Sciatica is one of the most recognizable pain patterns in musculoskeletal medicine: a sharp, burning, or electric pain that starts in the lower back or buttock and travels down the back of the leg — sometimes all the way to the foot. It can be relentless, keeping you awake at night, making it impossible to sit comfortably, and limiting every activity from driving to walking.

At McNamara Chiropractic Center in Lighthouse Point, Dr. Carol McNamara Krauss treats sciatica using the Spinal Decompression Program — a non-surgical protocol designed to decompress the nerve root that's producing your symptoms.

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What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. The underlying cause determines the right treatment.

Lumbar disc herniation (most common) A herniated disc at L4-L5 or L5-S1 is responsible for the majority of sciatic cases. The disc material protrudes and presses against the exiting nerve root. The Antalgic-Trac® decompression protocol directly addresses this mechanism.

Lumbar stenosis Narrowing of the spinal canal from degenerative changes. More common in older patients. Produces bilateral symptoms in some cases, and symptoms that worsen with walking but improve with sitting (neurogenic claudication).

Piriformis syndrome The sciatic nerve passes through or near the piriformis muscle in the buttock. Tightness or spasm of the piriformis can compress the nerve. Produces buttock pain and radiating leg symptoms that mimic disc sciatica.

Degenerative disc disease with spondylolisthesis Vertebral slippage can narrow the neural foramen and compress exiting nerve roots.

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The Spinal Decompression Approach

For disc-origin sciatica — which accounts for the majority of cases — the Spinal Decompression Program using the Antalgic-Trac® machine is the most directly relevant non-surgical treatment.

The distraction mechanism reduces intradiscal pressure at the affected level, creating a retraction force on herniated disc material and decompressing the nerve root. This is paired with Class IV laser (reducing inflammation around the nerve) and shockwave therapy (addressing chronic paraspinal tissue involvement).

Patients with disc-origin sciatica who haven't responded to conservative care (bed rest, NSAIDs, standard PT) often achieve meaningful improvement within the first 8–12 sessions of this protocol.

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FAQs

Will sciatica go away on its own? Acute disc-origin sciatica often improves within 6–12 weeks with conservative care. However, many cases become chronic without proper treatment, and recurrence rates are high without addressing the underlying disc pathology. Don't wait for months if you're in significant pain.

How is this different from just stretching or PT? PT strengthens the surrounding musculature and works on flexibility. Decompression works directly on the disc — reducing the pressure and protrusion that's compressing the nerve. They're complementary approaches.

What if I've had sciatica for years? Chronic sciatica (6+ months) still responds to decompression, though the timeline is longer. Long-standing nerve irritation and surrounding scar tissue require a full course of treatment.

When is surgery needed? Surgery is typically reserved for: progressive neurological deficit (weakness worsening), bowel/bladder involvement, or failure of comprehensive conservative care. The majority of sciatica patients do not require surgery.

How do I get started? Call (954) 943-1100 or contact us online. Located at 3320 N. Federal Highway, Suite 101, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064.