How Chiropractic Care by Dr. Michael Horowitz Can Help with Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Pain)
If you’re dealing with the painful, often debilitating symptoms of sciatica (irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve), you’re probably searching for relief — both immediate and lasting. While there is no one-size‐fits‐all cure, the chiropractic approach offered by Dr. Michael Horowitz in Vancouver offers a compelling, drug‐free, and hands-on pathway to easing nerve pain and improving overall spinal health. Below we’ll explore how he works, what sciatica is, how chiropractic care can help, and what you can expect when seeking treatment.
Who is Dr. Michael Horowitz?
Dr. Horowitz is a Vancouver-based chiropractor and biomechanical focused. He graduated in 2000 from the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) in Toronto and holds an undergraduate degree in Biology & Kinesiology from York University with emphasis on fitness assessment and exercise counselling. vancouverchiropractic.net+2vancouverorthotics.ca+2
He practices out of the Hycroft Medical Building at 3195 Granville Street, Suite 114, Vancouver, BC. vancouverchiropractic.net+1
Dr. Horowitz emphasises biomechanics: looking “from the feet up” and treating the source of stress in the feet, spine and nervous system — not just the symptoms. vancouverorthotics.ca+1
His website lists sciatica explicitly among the conditions he treats (alongside back pain, disc injuries, nerve irritation). vancouverchiropractic.net+1
What is Sciatica (Sciatic Nerve Pain)?
Sciatica refers to pain that radiates along the path of the sciatic nerve — which branches from your lower back through your hips and buttocks and down each leg. Typical symptoms include:
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Sharp, burning or shooting pain in the lower back, buttock or leg
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Tingling or numbness down the leg
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Muscle weakness in the leg or foot
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Exacerbation of pain when sitting, sneezing, or moving in certain ways
The root causes vary: a herniated (bulging) disc, spinal stenosis, chemical irritation of the nerve, muscle (e.g., piriformis) tension, or biomechanical imbalance.
Why Choose Chiropractic Care for Sciatica?
Chiropractic care offers a non-invasive, drug-free way to address nerve and spinal disorders — including sciatica. Some of the benefits include:
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Targeting root causes, not just pain relief. As one overview puts it: “Spinal adjustments relieve pressure, improve function, and allow the body to heal itself.” westernreservehospital.org+1
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Improving mobility and alignment: when spinal segments or joints are restricted, nerve pressure and pain often result. Adjustments and mobilisation aim to restore movement. westernreservehospital.org+1
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Soft-tissue work and support: Muscle tension (e.g., in the piriformis or gluteals) can irritate the sciatic nerve; manual therapy or targeted stretching helps reduce this load. Sleigh Family Chiropractic+1
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Holistic and preventive care: Chiropractors often include home exercises, posture correction and ergonomics to reduce future flare-ups. austinpreferred.com
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Safe option: While evidence is still somewhat limited, studies suggest spinal manipulation may reduce reliance on medications and is generally considered low-risk when performed by a qualified practitioner. Healthline
How Dr. Horowitz’s Approach Helps with Sciatica
Here’s how Dr. Horowitz applies chiropractic care specifically for sciatica sufferers:
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Comprehensive assessment
He conducts a full postural and spinal evaluation (and even foot & gait assessment) to identify biomechanical stressors from the ground up. vancouverorthotics.ca+1
This means determining whether the pain is likely from disc, joint, muscle or foot alignment issues — or a combination. -
Manual chiropractic techniques
Adjustments to the spine or pelvis (to restore movement and relieve nerve compression), joint mobilisation (especially in the lumbar and sacroiliac regions), and soft tissue techniques may all be used. These align with recognised methods for treating sciatica. westernreservehospital.org+1 -
Foot & lower-extremity biomechanics
A unique aspect of his practice: Dr. Horowitz places strong emphasis on custom orthotics and foot alignment. He sees feet, hips and spine as interconnected — meaning foot issues can contribute to back or nerve pain. vancouverorthotics.ca+1
In sciatica, imbalances in gait or lower-limb alignment can increase stress on the nerve pathway. -
Lifestyle & posture guidance
Treatment is not just “adjust and go home”. He emphasises spinal hygiene: stretching, movement, proper posture, and regular check-ups to prevent recurrence. vancouverchiropractic.net+1
For example, he asks: stretching + physical activity + regular chiropractic check-ups = better posture and fewer pain episodes. vancouverchiropractic.net -
Tailored plan
He offers a “5-Step process” in his clinic, designed to identify, treat and stabilise your condition. vancouverorthotics.ca+1
What to Expect if You Choose Treatment with Him
If you decide to visit Dr. Horowitz for sciatica care, here are some practical considerations and typical steps:
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Your first visit: Expect about 30 minutes for a thorough examination (according to his Vancouver Orthotics site) including foot and postural exam if relevant. vancouverorthotics.ca
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Diagnostics: He may take your history (how long pain has been present, triggers, sitting/standing aggravators), posture assessment, nervous system assessment, gait/foot analysis, maybe imaging referrals if necessary.
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Treatment plan: Based on your specific source of symptoms (disc, joint, muscle, foot alignment) he will outline a plan. This may include adjustments, soft tissue work, orthotics, exercises and posture/ergonomic advice.
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Frequency: Early treatments may be frequent (1–2 times per week) then gradually taper as you stabilise and improve.
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What you must do: Do your home exercises and apply ergonomic/standing/sitting modifications; change habits such as prolonged sitting or heavy bending/lifting which frequently aggravate sciatica.
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Realistic expectations: You may feel relief within a few sessions, but full recovery (especially if chronic) may take weeks to months. Recurrence is possible without maintenance.
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Safety / when to seek medical/surgical help: If your sciatica involves severe leg weakness, numbness, or bowel/bladder changes (signs of cauda equina syndrome), you should seek medical care immediately. Chiropractic care is useful for many but not all cases. Healthline+1
Evidence & What to Keep in Mind
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Evidence for chiropractic care in sciatica is promising but not definitive. A review found that spinal manipulation “sometimes—but not always—be effective for some forms of nerve pain.” Healthline
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One 2025 study found that people with sciatica who chose chiropractic spinal manipulation instead of opioids had fewer side effects one year later. Healthline
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As one source emphasises: “techniques like spinal adjustments and flexion-distraction therapy directly target nerve pressure” and allow healing. Sleigh Family Chiropractic
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But it’s not a guarantee: results depend on correct diagnosis, practitioner skill, patient commitment, and underlying anatomical factors (e.g., severe herniations may still require surgery).
In short: Chiropractic care is a very viable option for many sciatica sufferers — especially those seeking non‐drug, non‐surgical relief — but it's wise to view it as part of a broader plan (exercise, ergonomics, lifestyle change) rather than a quick “magic fix”.
Why Dr. Horowitz Might Be a Good Fit for You
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Local and accessible in Vancouver: many patients prefer someone they can visit regularly.
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Holistic/blended approach: not only spinal adjustments, but foot biomechanics and posture/ergonomic education.
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Clearly lists sciatica among his treated conditions (so you know he has experience).
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Emphasis on identifying root causes (“treating the source, not just the symptoms”).
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Option for custom orthotics if foot/leg alignment is contributing to your pain.
Closing Thoughts
If you’re suffering with sciatica — whether it’s a first episode or a recurrent flare-up — it’s wise to explore all effective, safe options. The approach taken by Dr. Michael Horowitz offers a patient-centred, conservative, and biomechanically-aware pathway to relief and long‐term spinal health.
By combining manual chiropractic adjustments, soft-tissue work, orthotics (if needed), posture correction, movement/exercises and everyday ergonomics, you stand a good chance of not only reducing your current pain but also preventing future flare-ups.
Of course, success depends on many factors: how long you’ve had pain, what’s causing the nerve irritation, your commitment to follow-through, and whether there are complicating factors (severe disc herniation, significant spinal stenosis, etc.). If you haven’t yet started, consider booking an initial consultation to get a full assessment and tailored plan. It could be the difference between surviving sciatica and thriving despite it.
