Not All Sciatica Is the Same. Precise Diagnosis Makes All the Difference.
We treat sciatica by finding the real cause. Whether it’s a herniated disc, a subluxated facet joint, piriformis syndrome, or lumbar canal stenosis. With precise diagnosis and targeted treatment, we address the source of your pain. Not just the symptoms.
Accident & Injury Recovery
Chronic Pain & Spine
Aches & Functional Issues
Sciatica has multiple causes. Shouldn't your treatment target the right one?
Understanding Sciatica
Sciatica is not a diagnosis. It’s a symptom. The term describes pain, numbness, or tingling that travels along the sciatic nerve from the low back down through the buttock and into the leg. The most common cause is a lumbar disc herniation, but sciatica can also result from spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, facet joint dysfunction, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction. Each cause requires a different treatment approach.
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Whiplash
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Neck pain after car accident
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Back pain after car accident (mid-back or low back)
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Headaches after car accident
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Shoulder pain / upper back tightness after car accident
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Radiating nerve pain, numbness, or tingling
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Dizziness or “off balance” symptoms (when appropriate)
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Spinal instability / ligament injury patterns
Back pain after a car accident can come from multiple sources. Sprains/strains, disc irritation, facet joint injury, or ligament instability that only shows up when the spine is stressed. If your low back pain started days later, wakes you up at night, or feels sharp with twisting/bending, you need a focused evaluation. Not guesswork.
Whiplash: Why Symptoms Can Be Delayed
Whiplash symptoms don’t always hit immediately. Inflammation, muscle guarding, and ligament irritation can ramp up over 24, 72 hours, which is why people often search for answers days after the crash. Our process is designed to connect your symptoms, exam findings, and imaging so you’re not stuck treating the wrong thing.
What an Injury Evaluation Looks Like
Your visit focuses on: (1) your crash history and symptom timeline, (2) an exam that matches your pain pattern, and (3) imaging when appropriate. Especially when we suspect instability or a ligament-driven problem. If you already have an MRI, we’ll correlate it with your movement findings and exam.
Our Approach to Sciatica Treatment
We don’t guess at the cause of your sciatica. We confirm it with objective imaging and biomechanical analysis, then build a structured treatment plan targeting that specific cause. Our two-phase model. Acute relief followed by long-term stabilization. Gives you lasting results instead of temporary symptom management.
- Step 1: Detect What Matters - Motion X-rays + full-spine analysis
- Step 2: Correlate With Real Symptoms. We cross-reference your symptom pattern (neck pain, back pain, headaches), motion X-ray findings, and MRI (when needed)
- Step 3: Create the Right Recovery Plan - Calm the inflammation → Restore structure → Rehab movement
Testimonials
See why Utah County sciatica patients choose McClean Spine Care Specialists.
“I am so grateful that I am able to be seen here. This is hands down the best chiropractor I have been to. I was recently in another car accident and was worried about going to another chiropractor, I did not see results like this with my last one. I am doing exercises here that I haven’t done before. I also have the opportunity to see a massage therapist here and that is also doing wonders. I feel better than I have in a long time. Matt McClean is great and his staff couldn’t be nicer. They are professional yet make you feel comfortable. I look forward to my visits. I highly recommend this place.”
Tashina Sherman
“I totaled my Chevy diesel last year and escaped without a scratch. A week or so later I noticed a dull pain and discomfort in my lower back, neck and shoulders which woke me in my sleep. Through the advice of a friend, I went to the McClean Chiropractic. There I found one of a kind modern technology. The doctors were knowledgeable and more importantly dedicated to my rehabilitation and truly cared about my well-being and a staff that is equally generous and thoughtful. What I love most is that it’s a family owned business and has been for sometime. Within the first treatment I noticed a change, within several more visits I was no longer experiencing the pain and discomfort from my auto accident. I want to thank everyone at McClean chiropractic for making this difficult time incredibly easy and pleasant.”
Joseph Cornetta
“Dr. Gordon McClean is an excellent doctor who really cares about helping people. I came to Dr. McClean while on Christmas vacation in pain and feeling very anxious about an invasive surgery my doctor back home had advised to be my best option. After a minor car accident 3 years ago I have struggled with neck pain, stiffness, headaches, arm weakness and tingling. I have done physical therapy twice, been on medication regularly, tried steroid injection and facet numbing. Dr. McClean treated me for 12 consecutive days, even over the holidays, and has brought my symptoms and pain from an 8 down to a 0-1! The weakness in my left arm is significantly changed. He took the time to listen and share his expertise with all the many questions I had. He helped me get into another surgeons office in the area for a second opinion who also believed the surgery I was going home to have was too aggressive for my symptoms, MRI results, and age. I know that it is difficult to find a doctor that you can trust and the McClean Chiropractic doctors are exactly that.”
Rebecca Barnhurts
“Came in for whiplash after an auto accident. Felt much better after just a few treatments. Continued going for several weeks to correct any long term problems. Friendly service, also very helpful and patient in resolving a payment issue from the insurance. Would go back again or recommend to others.”
Brandon Barney
McClean Chiropractic - Spine Care Specialists
Sciatic Pain in Provo?
Let's Find the Exact Cause and Fix It.
Precise sciatica diagnosis with motion-based imaging and fellowship-level lumbar biomechanics. Same-day appointments available.
Related Conditions We Treat
Herniated Disc • Neck Pain • Back Pain • Whiplash • Headaches
Our Services
Spinal Decompression Therapy • Advanced Diagnostics & Motion X-Ray • Chiropractor in Provo, Utah • Car Accident Injury Care • Free MRI Review
Same-day appointments available. Call 801-373-1035 or schedule online.
What our patients say
“I was here in Utah on vacation and I had some pretty serious radicular pain down my left leg all day Sunday. I called Monday morning before they opened and got Sherri who was very nice and able to get me in right away. Dr. Matt McClean was very fast, thorough, and effective.”
. Johnny K., Google review
“This place is a blessing. They helped me out a lot when I was going through pain due to a ruptured disc. Eventually it went away.”
. Rafael R., Google review
Sciatica FAQ
No. True sciatica (L4-S2 nerve root compression) is often disc-related, but sciatica-like leg pain can come from piriformis syndrome, SI joint dysfunction, spinal stenosis, or facet irritation. Correct diagnosis drives correct treatment.
Not always initially. If your neurological exam is clean and you’re responding to conservative care, probably not. If symptoms are progressing, severe, or not improving in 4-6 weeks, yes. And we review the imaging ourselves.
Most patients notice meaningful improvement within 2-4 weeks. Severe cases with significant nerve involvement take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline after the exam.
Usually yes, with the right exercises. Some movements help; others aggravate. We’ll give you a specific home program that’s personal to your pain pattern. Not a generic stretching sheet.
No problem. Many of our sciatica patients come to us after injections that worked partially or wore off. We often combine ongoing conservative care with whatever relief the injection is providing.
Progressive motor weakness, cauda equina signs, intractable pain after appropriate conservative care, or imaging that clearly calls for decompression. We refer to spine surgeons we trust.
Sciatic pain? Let's find the real source.
Fellowship-trained Spine Management Physicians. Motion X-ray, MRI review, coordinated care. Same-week appointments.
McClean Chiropractic · 385 N 500 W, Provo UT 84601