How Campbell Chiropractic Care Helps with Sciatica (Gonstead Approach Explained)

Why Structural Analysis Matters for Leg Pain

If you’ve ever felt a sharp, shooting pain travel down your lower back into your leg, you’re not alone. Sciatica affects millions of people, and it can make simple daily tasks—walking, sitting, even sleeping—feel nearly impossible. But here’s something many people don’t realize:

Sciatica is not the problem itself — it’s a symptom of a deeper structural issue.

That’s why at Campbell Chiropractic, we use the Gonstead System, one of the most precise and advanced chiropractic methods available, to identify the true cause of your sciatica and correct it at the source.

Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand.

What Is Sciatica, Really?

Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in your body, becomes irritated or compressed. This can cause:

• Sharp, shooting leg pain

• Numbness or tingling

• Burning sensations

• Weakness in the leg or foot

• Pain that worsens when sitting or standing

But here’s the key:The irritation almost always begins in the spine or pelvis—not the leg.

The Hidden Cause: Structural Misalignments

Most sciatica cases come from:

• A misaligned lumbar vertebra (often L4 or L5)

• A misaligned pelvis

• Disc inflammation or herniation due to improper joint motion

• Uneven weight distribution across the spine and hips

These structural issues reduce space around the nerve, causing that unmistakable radiating pain.

And this is where the Gonstead approach stands apart.

How the Gonstead Method Approaches Sciatica

The Gonstead System is known for its precision. Instead of general adjustments, it uses a six-part analysis to determine exactly where the nerve irritation is coming from.

Here’s how it helps sciatica specifically:

1. Thorough Structural Analysis

This includes:

• Weight-bearing X-rays (to see the spine in its true working position)

• Instrumentation (a device called a Nervoscope to check for nerve pressure)

• Motion palpation (feeling how each joint moves or doesn’t move)

• Visual posture assessment

This matters for sciatica because even a millimeter shift in the pelvis or lower spine can put pressure on the sciatic nerve.

2. Finding the Exact Misalignment

Unlike generalized methods, Gonstead chiropractors adjust one bone at a time—with purpose. Dr. Campbell locates the exact vertebra or pelvic segment causing nerve irritation.

When the foundation of the spine (the pelvis) shifts, the entire structure compensates. This often leads to:

• Uneven leg length

• Hip rotation

• Lower back compression

Correcting the foundation relieves the pressure naturally.

3. Adjustments Based on Biomechanics, Not Guesswork

Gonstead adjustments are:

• Specific

• Measured

• Gentle

• Performed with the spine in a neutral, natural position

For sciatica, this means restoring the proper alignment of the lumbar spine and pelvis, which reduces nerve interference and allows the disc and joints to function correctly.

Why Structural Analysis Matters for Leg Pain

Leg pain caused by sciatica is actually a spinal communication problem. The leg feels it, but the spine causes it.

If a chiropractor doesn’t take the time to evaluate:

• Pelvic tilt

• Rotational misalignments

• Disc integrity

• Joint motion

• Weight distribution

…they risk adjusting the wrong area—or missing the root issue entirely.

The Gonstead System ensures that sciatica relief isn’t just temporary. It’s built on correcting the exact structure causing the nerve irritation.

What Sciatica Patients Experience After a Gonstead Adjustment

Many patients report:

• Reduced shooting pain

• Better mobility in the hip and low back

• Decreased inflammation

• Restored posture

• Easier walking, sitting, and standing

• A feeling of “lightness” in the leg

As the spinal structure returns to normal, the sciatic nerve has space to heal.

Why Choose Campbell Chiropractic for Sciatica Relief?

At Campbell Chiropractic, you’re not getting a generic adjustment. You’re receiving care from a Gonstead-trained chiropractor who specializes in:

• Precise structural correction

• Nervous system-focused care

• Safe, individualized adjustments

• Long-term solutions, not quick fixes

Sciatica doesn’t have to control your life. With the right structural approach, your body can heal—naturally.

Ready to Get Out of Pain?

If leg pain, numbness, or low back discomfort is slowing you down, it’s time to identify what’s really causing it.

Schedule a consultation at Campbell Chiropractic and experience the Gonstead difference for yourself.