Two Approaches, One Goal
Jesse Slater, DC, LMT | Hawthorn Healing Arts
If you’ve ever dealt with sciatica, you already know—it’s not just “a little back pain.” It can show up as a sharp, shooting discomfort down the leg, a constant ache in the hip, or even numbness that makes everyday movement feel unpredictable.
At Hawthorn Healing Arts, Jesse Slater, D.C., LMT brings a slightly different approach to this all-too-common issue. As both a chiropractor and massage therapist, his work doesn’t stop at the spine or the muscles—it connects the two. And when it comes to sciatica, that combination can make a meaningful difference. Because here’s the thing: sciatica isn’t really one single problem.
When Pain Travels, the Cause Isn’t Always Obvious
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It usually means the sciatic nerve—running from the lower back through the hips and down each leg—is being irritated or compressed somewhere along the way.
That irritation can come from a few different places. A bulging or herniated disc in the lower back is one of the more common causes, but it’s not the only one. Joint dysfunction in the spine or pelvis can affect how the body moves and distributes load, sometimes contributing to nerve irritation. Tight muscles in the hips or glutes—especially deep stabilizers like the piriformis—can also create pressure in the area. Even postural strain from long hours of sitting or uneven movement patterns can gradually build into something more persistent. And often, it’s not just one of these—it’s a combination. That’s where Jesse’s dual training comes into play. Instead of treating sciatica as purely structural or purely muscular, his approach looks at how both systems interact.
Why Structure and Soft Tissue Both Matter
Traditional chiropractic care has often focused on restoring joint motion and reducing pressure on nerves. Massage therapy, on the other hand, works through the muscles and connective tissue, helping release tension and improve circulation. For sciatica, separating the two can miss part of the picture. A spinal adjustment may relieve pressure, but if tight muscles in the hips or glutes continue to restrict movement, symptoms can return. On the flip side, massage alone may ease tension, but if joint function isn’t improving, the underlying irritation may persist.
Jesse’s work bridges that gap. In practice, that often means combining precise chiropractic adjustments to improve joint mobility with targeted myofascial and trigger point therapy to release tension patterns. These are paired with mobility-based techniques that help the body move more efficiently as a whole. The goal isn’t just short-term relief—it’s helping the body stop recreating the same problem.
The Muscle Component Most People Miss
One of the more overlooked contributors to sciatic pain is muscle tension—especially in the hips and glutes. Muscles like the piriformis (a small but powerful muscle deep in the hip) can press against the sciatic nerve when they become tight or inflamed. This is sometimes referred to as piriformis syndrome, and it can feel nearly identical to disc-related sciatica. Tightness in surrounding areas—like the hamstrings, IT band, or even the calves—can also change how force travels through the body, adding strain to the lower back and pelvis. This is where hands-on work becomes especially valuable.
Targeted soft tissue therapy helps reduce pressure on the sciatic nerve, improve circulation to irritated tissues, and restore flexibility in muscles that may be contributing to dysfunctional movement patterns. It also supports the effectiveness of chiropractic care by allowing the body to respond more easily to changes in joint motion. In other words, it helps create the conditions where those changes can actually hold.
Movement, Not Just Treatment
Another key piece of sciatica recovery is how the body moves between appointments. Jesse’s approach often includes simple, practical guidance—nothing overwhelming, just targeted ways to support what’s happening in the treatment room. This might look like gentle stretching to keep muscles from tightening back up, small adjustments to sitting or sleeping positions, or subtle movement changes that reduce strain on the lower back and hips.
The idea isn’t to hand you a long list of exercises—it’s to make small changes that actually stick.
What Relief Can Feel Like
Sciatica doesn’t always resolve overnight, especially if it’s been building for a while. But with the right combination of care, many people start to notice shifts fairly quickly. Pain that once felt sharp or radiating may begin to settle. Movement can feel more natural again—standing, walking, or even just getting through the day with less tension. Over time, flare-ups often become less frequent, and the body feels more resilient overall.
And that’s really the goal—not just temporary relief, but lasting change.
A More Integrated Way Forward
Sciatica can be frustrating, especially when treatments only seem to address part of the issue. What Jesse offers is a more integrated way to approach it—one that recognizes how closely the spine, muscles, and movement patterns are connected. By combining chiropractic care with skilled soft tissue work, his treatments are designed to not only relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve, but also improve joint function and reduce the underlying patterns that keep that pressure coming back.
If you’ve been dealing with sciatic pain—or even just that persistent ache in the hip or leg that never quite resolves—it may be worth looking at the problem from a more complete perspective. You can learn more or schedule with Jesse to explore what a combined approach to care might look like for you. Appointments with Jesse are available by calling 541-330-0334 email [email protected] or visit our online request form.