Radiculopathy and Disc-Concern Evaluation

• Disc bulge or herniation pressing on a nerve root
• Piriformis muscle tension compressing the nerve
• Spinal stenosis narrowing the space around the nerve
• SI joint dysfunction referring pain along a similar path
• Poor lifting mechanics, weak core and hip support, and repetitive flexion and rotation stress over time
• A single high-force event, such as an accident, or prolonged sitting weakening the spine's supporting musculature

• Pain radiating from the low back or buttock down the leg, often below the knee
• Numbness or tingling along the path of the nerve
• Localized back or neck pain at the level of the disc
• Pain that's worse with sitting or forward bending, and often eases with extension or standing
• Weakness in the foot or ankle in more significant cases
• Pain that's sharper or more electric than typical muscular pain

We use specific orthopedic and neurological tests to differentiate between a disc-related source, piriformis involvement, stenosis, or SI joint referral, since each requires a meaningfully different treatment approach. We evaluate your specific pain pattern, neurological signs, and movement tolerances to understand how a herniation is behaving clinically — which often matters more for treatment planning than the imaging report alone.

We evaluate the full kinetic chain — spine, hip, and pelvis — to identify the actual source of the compression, then build a plan around decompression, mobility work, and targeted strengthening to take pressure off the nerve and keep it off.

• Decompression and positioning to reduce pressure where a disc is involved
• Mobility work targeted at the true source of compression
• Rebuilding core and spinal control that keeps the disc from being overloaded again
• Nerve gliding techniques where appropriate to restore normal nerve mobility
• Coordination with imaging and further medical evaluation when appropriate