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Spine Health
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Here is how DeFabio Chiropractic in Berkeley Heights finds what is irritating the nerve and builds a non-surgical plan around it.
If you have sciatica near Berkeley Heights, DeFabio Chiropractic at 308 Springfield Ave treats it with non-surgical care that starts with an accurate diagnosis: a physical assessment, your medical history, and imaging when appropriate. Once the cause is clear, the plan may combine chiropractic adjustments, spinal decompression, cold laser, Winback TECAR, and corrective exercise. You can call or text (908) 771-0220 to schedule.
Sciatica can make sitting at a desk, driving to work, or picking up a child feel impossible. Here is how the practice approaches it, and what to expect as a patient from Berkeley Heights, Summit, New Providence, and nearby towns.
Sciatica is the name for pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, often from the low back or buttock down the back of the leg. Some people feel a deep ache. Others describe burning, tingling, or numbness that reaches below the knee. The word tells you where the pain goes. It does not tell you why.
A lumbar disc herniation is a common source. When a disc herniates or degenerates, disc material can press on nearby nerve roots and send pain into the leg. Other structures, such as the joints of the spine or the sacroiliac joint, can also be part of the picture. That is why, as the practice puts it, treatment without a clear diagnosis is guesswork.
You can read the practice's overview on its sciatica page.
Some symptoms should not wait for a routine appointment. If leg weakness is getting worse, if you notice numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or if you have new trouble controlling your bladder or bowels, seek emergency medical care right away. For most sciatica, though, a careful exam in the first days or weeks gives you answers and a plan sooner, instead of waiting to see if it settles on its own.
Every new patient at DeFabio Chiropractic receives a structured orthopedic and neurological examination before any treatment is recommended. For sciatica, that first visit typically runs 45 to 60 minutes and includes:
Dr. DeFabio reviews the findings with you in plain language, explains the working diagnosis, and presents a care plan with realistic timelines and measurable goals. Bring your insurance card and any prior imaging or labs. New patient forms are on the Patient Center page, and filling them out ahead of time usually saves 15 to 20 minutes at check-in.
Once the cause is identified, care for sciatica may include a combination of the following, matched to your findings:
The broader approach can also include muscle stimulation, Graston Therapy, and Shockwave Therapy. The goal is coordinated care in one office instead of shuttling between providers.
Spinal decompression gets a lot of questions from sciatica patients. At DeFabio Chiropractic, it is never the first step. Dr. DeFabio reviews your imaging and performs a detailed clinical examination before scheduling any sessions. Patients with certain fractures, spinal instability, severe osteoporosis, or prior spinal fusion may not be appropriate candidates, and those contraindications are screened carefully.
During a session, you lie on a motorized table with a harness fitted around your pelvis or torso. The table applies gentle, intermittent traction for about 30 minutes, and you are monitored throughout. The practice describes a typical protocol as 15 to 20 sessions over 4 to 6 weeks, adjusted based on your response. Decompression tends to work best as part of a broader plan with adjustments, stabilizing exercises, and soft tissue care.
If you are weighing decompression, the earlier post on questions to ask at a decompression consultation is a helpful companion to this one.
Dr. Donald C. DeFabio, DC, DACRB, DACBSP, DABCO, has cared for Berkeley Heights and Union County since 1985. He holds three post-doctoral board certifications, in chiropractic physical rehabilitation, sports injuries, and chiropractic orthopedics. In practice, that training shows up in a few ways:
His recognition includes ACA Rehab Council Doctor of the Year 2023, NJ Top Docs every year since 2011, and ANJC New Jersey Chiropractor of the Year 2013. You can read more on the About Dr. DeFabio page.
The office is at 308 Springfield Ave in Berkeley Heights and serves patients from New Providence, Summit, Watchung, Warren, Chatham, Springfield, Millburn, and Gillette.
Sciatica describes pain that travels along the sciatic nerve into the buttock and leg. It is often linked to a lumbar disc herniation or bulge, but other sources are possible. That is why DeFabio Chiropractic starts with a physical assessment, medical history, and imaging when appropriate before recommending care.
It can be. Spinal decompression is a non-invasive, non-surgical option for lumbar disc syndromes, and good candidates may include people with herniated or bulging discs and sciatica. Dr. DeFabio screens for contraindications, such as certain fractures, spinal instability, severe osteoporosis, or prior spinal fusion, before recommending it.
Plan for 45 to 60 minutes. The first appointment includes a structured history, postural analysis, range-of-motion testing, orthopedic stress tests, and neurological screening. Bring your insurance card and any prior imaging so the full picture can be reviewed.
DeFabio Chiropractic is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medicare, and the team provides complimentary benefits analyses across insurance plans to help clarify coverage and potential out-of-pocket costs. Call (908) 771-0220 to learn more.
DeFabio Chiropractic can help you find out what is behind your sciatica and build a plan to get you moving again. Call or text (908) 771-0220, or tap to call the Berkeley Heights office and schedule your exam today.
