"I've Been Doing PT for Weeks and My Sciatica Is Still There." Here's Why — and What to Try Next.
It's one of the most common things we hear at West Los Angeles Chiropractic®: a patient has been diligently attending physical therapy for weeks — stretching, strengthening, icing — and the shooting pain down their leg is still there. Often it's worse. The reason usually comes down to one thing: PT treats the muscles around the problem. Chiropractic care and non-surgical spinal decompression treat the problem itself.
The Core Difference Nobody Explains to You
Sciatica is nerve pain. It happens when something — usually a herniated disc, a misaligned vertebra, or a bone spur — presses directly on the sciatic nerve in your lower spine.
Physical therapy is excellent at strengthening the muscles that support your spine. But if a disc is pressing on your sciatic nerve, no amount of core strengthening moves that disc. The compression is still there. The nerve is still irritated. The pain continues.
Chiropractic care works on the spine itself — realigning vertebrae and relieving mechanical pressure on the nerve. But for many patients with a true disc herniation, there is a second problem that even a great chiropractic adjustment cannot fully address: the disc wall is torn.
The Disc Herniation Problem Most Providers Miss
When a disc herniates, two things happen simultaneously:
1. The outer wall of the disc tears. Every disc in your spine has a tough outer ring called the annulus fibrosus. When that outer wall develops a tear — from injury, repetitive stress, or degeneration — the soft inner material (nucleus pulposus) pushes through that opening.
2. That inner material compresses your nerve. The escaped disc material presses on the sciatic nerve, causing the shooting pain, numbness, and tingling down your leg.
Most treatments focus only on Problem #2 — relieving the nerve pressure. That matters. But if the tear in the disc wall is not addressed, the disc remains structurally compromised, and the pain often returns.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression: Targeting the Disc Itself
At West Los Angeles Chiropractic®, Dr. Michael Karr offers Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression using the DRX9000 — FDA-cleared technology designed to address disc herniation at its source.
Here is how it works:
The DRX9000 gently distracts the spine, creating a precise negative pressure inside the damaged disc. This negative intradiscal pressure is designed to:
- Help retract herniated disc material away from the nerve
- Promote nutrient flow and rehydration to the damaged disc
- Create conditions that support healing of the annular tear itself
The goal is not simply to mask pain. The goal is to support the disc's own healing process — reducing the herniation and encouraging repair of the wall that tore.
The DRX9000 is the most researched non-surgical spinal decompression technology available. There are now 28 clinical studies on this technology, 20 of which are published in peer-reviewed journals. Thousands of patients across the country have been treated with the DRX9000 as a non-surgical alternative before considering injections or surgery.
Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may not be appropriate for every patient. Dr. Karr reviews your X-rays and clinical presentation to determine whether you are a candidate.
What Dr. Karr Does That Most Providers Skip
Dr. Michael Karr is a UCLA Kinesiology graduate who has treated sciatica and disc injuries in West LA since 1989. He received radiology honors — meaning he reads your X-rays himself, in the office, the same day you arrive.
Most new sciatica patients have never had their lumbar spine examined on X-ray. They have been treated based on symptoms alone. That changes on your first visit here. You see exactly where the problem is. You understand what is causing your pain. Treatment is built around your spine specifically — not a generic protocol.
How the Three Approaches Compare
Your situation Best fit Sharp, shooting pain down one leg Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression evaluation Diagnosed herniated or bulging disc Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression (DRX9000) Pain after lifting, twisting, sudden movement Chiropractic adjustment first Tried PT 4+ weeks with limited improvement Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression evaluation Post-surgical spine rehab Physical therapy General core weakness, no nerve pain Physical therapy Mild aching without radiating pain Physical therapy
| Your situation | Best fit |
|---|---|
| Sharp, shooting pain down one leg | Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression evaluation |
| Diagnosed herniated or bulging disc | Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression (DRX9000) |
| Pain after lifting, twisting, sudden movement | Chiropractic adjustment first |
| Tried PT 4+ weeks with limited improvement | Chiropractic + Spinal Decompression evaluation |
| Post-surgical spine rehab | Physical therapy |
| General core weakness, no nerve pain | Physical therapy |
| Mild aching without radiating pain | Physical therapy |
What Your First Visit Looks Like
- Digital X-rays of your lumbar spine — taken and read same day
- Orthopedic testing to identify the exact nerve level involved
- A clear explanation of what is causing your pain
- A treatment plan that may include chiropractic adjustment, Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression, cold laser, MedX rehabilitation, or massage — based on your specific condition
We accept Medicare, most PPO insurance (Anthem Blue Cross, Cigna, Aetna, UnitedHealthcare), Workers' Comp, MedPay, and CareCredit. New patients: $99 for your first chiropractic. Call Betty for spinal decompression pricing and coverage verification.
We're at 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165 — ground floor, free parking, near the 405 and 10. Serving West LA, Santa Monica, Brentwood, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Venice, Westwood, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, and West Hollywood. Open Saturdays.
Call Betty: 310-914-9400
Frequently Asked Questions
Why didn't physical therapy fix my sciatica? Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around your spine but cannot reposition a herniated disc, correct spinal misalignment, or address a tear in the disc wall. If disc compression or annular damage is the cause of your sciatica, structural treatment — chiropractic adjustment and/or spinal decompression — targets the source directly.
What is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression and how does it help a herniated disc? Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression uses the FDA-cleared DRX9000 to gently distract the spine, creating negative pressure inside the damaged disc. This is designed to help retract herniated disc material, promote disc rehydration, and support healing of the annular tear — the structural damage that caused the herniation. The DRX9000 has been the subject of 28 clinical studies, 20 published in peer-reviewed journals.
Is Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression FDA cleared? Yes. The DRX9000 is FDA-cleared technology. It is a non-invasive, non-surgical treatment used for disc herniation, bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, and sciatica. Dr. Karr will determine whether you are a candidate based on your clinical history and X-rays.
How is treating the disc different from just treating the nerve? Treating the nerve addresses your pain symptoms — the shooting, burning, or numbness down your leg. Treating the disc addresses the structural cause — the herniation and the annular tear that created it. Ideally, both are addressed. Chiropractic adjustment helps restore alignment and relieve nerve pressure; spinal decompression is designed to help the disc itself heal.
Can I do both chiropractic and physical therapy? Yes, and many patients benefit from both at different stages. Chiropractic care and Spinal Decompression for the acute disc phase — then PT-style stabilization to rebuild strength and prevent recurrence.
Is Chiropractic and Spinal Decompression covered by insurance?We accept Medicare, most PPO plans, Workers' Comp, and MedPay. Call Betty at 310-914-9400 and we will verify your specific coverage. — at no cost to you. Note: Medicare does not cover spinal decompression.
Does Dr. Karr treat sciatica from herniated discs? Yes — herniated and bulging discs causing sciatica are among the most common conditions we treat. In-office digital X-rays show the exact vertebral levels involved so treatment is targeted, not guesswork.
📞 Call Betty: 310-914-9400 🌐 WestLosAngelesChiropractic.com 📍 11340 W. Olympic Blvd., Suite 165, Los Angeles, CA 90064 📘
*Individual results vary. This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional before beginning any treatment program. Non-Surgical Spinal Decompression may not be appropriate for every patient — candidacy is determined by clinical evaluation and review of diagnostic imaging.
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