Pain that travels
Symptoms may extend beyond the back into the buttock, leg or foot.
Sciatica · Shelton, Connecticut
Leg pain deserves
a closer look.
Pain from your lower back or buttock into your leg deserves a careful evaluation. Dr. James Dalfino, DC, reviews your symptoms, examination and existing records at our Shelton office to explain whether non-surgical care is appropriate and when another assessment is needed.
Understand the condition
Sciatica describes symptoms. The cause still matters.
Sciatica commonly involves pain running through the buttock and down one leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness. Irritation of a nerve root in the lower back can produce this pattern. A herniated disc or spinal stenosis may be involved, but the word “sciatica” alone does not identify the cause.
Changes in sensation
Pins and needles or numbness can accompany the pain.
A change in function
Tell your clinician about weakness, a dragging foot or activities you can no longer do.
Your evaluation
Bring the details that make your case different.
At your Shelton visit, explain where symptoms begin and end, when they started, and how sitting, walking or other activities affect them. Bring previous imaging reports and a list of care you have already tried. Your history and examination guide the discussion; an MRI is not automatically needed for every episode.
Already have a recommendation? Explore a second opinion →Your care options
A plan for your findings—not just the label.
Many episodes improve with time and conservative care. Staying active within your tolerance and individually selected exercise may be part of that approach. Medication questions belong with your prescribing clinician. At our center, the first step is determining whether our non-surgical services fit your examination, or whether further testing or referral should come first.
When symptoms should not wait
New difficulty urinating, loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or rapidly worsening leg weakness needs emergency medical assessment. Do not wait for a routine office appointment. New or worsening weakness also deserves prompt medical attention.
Common questions
A little more clarity.
Is all leg pain sciatica?
No. Similar symptoms can have different causes. An examination helps determine whether the lower back is involved and whether another evaluation is needed.
Do I need an MRI before I come in?
Not necessarily. Bring an existing report if you have one. Imaging decisions depend on your history, examination, symptoms and whether the result would change the next step.
How long will recovery take?
There is no single timeline. Some episodes improve over weeks; others last longer. Your response and any changes in strength or sensation help guide reassessment.
Can spinal decompression be considered for sciatica?
It may be considered for selected patients when disc-related findings and examination support it. Sciatica does not automatically make you a candidate. Our DRX9000 treatment guide explains candidacy and the visit; your evaluation determines whether it fits your case.
Before your appointment
Exploring spinal decompression for sciatica?
Start with the treatment guide, including candidacy, what to bring, appointment length and cost questions. Your consultation and examination determine whether the services offered at our Shelton office are appropriate.
Patient education sources
General educational resources. These organizations do not endorse this center or its treatments. Individual recommendations require an examination.
Meet your doctor
Dr. James J. Dalfino →
Your next step
Start with a conversation.
Find out what may be driving your pain.
Tell Dr. Dalfino what hurts, how it affects your day and what you want to get back to. Your consultation and examination help identify what may be contributing to your symptoms and whether our care is appropriate for you.
$99New Patient Special
Consultation, examination, report of findings and first treatment when appropriate.
Schedule My New Patient Visit2 Trap Falls Road, Suite 208 · Shelton, CT 06484
(203) 922-9277