06/05/2026
When a 48-year-old office worker came to Mahoney Chiropractic Group, he had been living with right-sided sciatica for seven months. Pain, numbness, and tingling ran from his buttock all the way into his foot. He had given up his evening walks and was waking multiple times a night. Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories had barely touched it.
Here is what non-surgical, conservative care looked like for him 👇
🔎 The assessment: A full exam showed restricted lumbar movement, a positive straight leg raise, a diminished reflex, and mild foot weakness. His MRI confirmed a disc herniation at L4-5 with moderate nerve root compression. Once red flags were ruled out, he was cleared for conservative care.
🗓️ The 12-week plan: Care started with three spinal decompression sessions per week targeting L4-5, combined with chiropractic adjustments and Class IV laser therapy. As he improved, sessions were reduced and spinal rehabilitation was introduced, progressing from mobility work to stability and disc protection.
📈 The progress: By week three, leg pain had dropped about 40 percent and sleep improved to five or six uninterrupted hours. By week five he was walking again. By week ten, pain at rest had fully resolved and he was back to all recreational activity.
📊 The numbers: His Oswestry Disability Index dropped from 52 percent (severe disability) to 18 percent (minimal disability). That is a meaningful return to quality of life, not just less pain.
🔄 What came next: Recovery did not end at week twelve. Monthly visits and a home rehab plan keep him strong, mobile, and out of the clinic.
This is what a personalized plan does. We do not run one-size-fits-all protocols. We assess, build around your goals, and guide you back to the life you want.
Think spinal decompression could help your disc pain or sciatica? Let us take a look.
📍 Colchester, VT
📞 802-655-2664
🔗 mahoneychiropracticgroup.com
