When Marco D., a 39-year-old delivery driver from Brooklyn, first came to Brooklyn Pain Doctors clinic, he had been suffering from intense sciatica for over four months.
What started as occasional low back tightness had progressed into:
Shooting pain down his right leg
Tingling and numbness in his calf and foot
Inability to sit, drive, or sleep comfortably
Constant fear that the pain would “flare up” any time
After an MRI confirmed a herniated disc at L5-S1, Marco was told he might need steroid injections—or even surgery. But he wanted a second opinion and a chance at recovery without invasive procedures.
At his physical therapy and acupuncture evaluation, Marco presented with:
Pain rated 8/10, aggravated by sitting and bending
Positive straight leg raise test on the right side
Limited lumbar range of motion
Core and glute weakness
Antalgic gait (walking with a limp to avoid pain)
This was a textbook case of sciatic nerve irritation due to disc herniation—but still fully treatable without surgery.
We built a comprehensive 10-week plan focusing on:
✅ Acupuncture (2x/week):
To calm the inflamed nerve, reduce muscle guarding, and promote healing around the lumbar spine.
✅ Manual Physical Therapy:
Joint mobilizations, soft tissue release, and targeted stretching to restore mobility and reduce nerve tension.
✅ Nerve Gliding Exercises:
Gentle, progressive “flossing” movements to mobilize the sciatic nerve.
✅ Core & Glute Strengthening:
To stabilize the spine and reduce pressure on the herniated disc.
✅ Posture + Ergonomics Coaching:
To improve standing, driving, and lifting positions during long work hours.