Sciatica Massage
Discover
What is Sciatica?
Sciatica affects the sciatic nerve – the largest nerve in the body. This nerve runs from the lower back through the hips and down each leg. It’s more than just typical back pain. Sciatica means nerve irritation that can impact how your body moves and feels. Any issues with sciatic nerve can mess with your mobility and everyday activities because it connects the spine to the legs. Though it’s a common condition, sciatica often requires special care to manage properly and prevent it from interfering with everyday life.
Discover
What are the Symptoms of Sciatica?
Sharp, shooting pain
Often felt from the lower back down to the leg, especially when standing or sitting.
Burning or tingling sensation
A prickly or electric feeling that runs along the sciatic nerve’s path.
Numbness
Reduced sensation in the leg, foot, or toes.
Muscle weakness
Legs may feel heavy, tired, or unsteady.
Pain that worsens with movement
Especially when getting up, bending, or twisting.
One-sided pain
Sciatica usually affects only one side of the lower body.
Discover
Benefits of Massage Therapy for Sciatica
- Less muscle tension. Sciatica massage relaxes tight muscles that put pressure on the sciatic nerve.
- Better blood flow. Increases circulation, helping your body heal inflamed or irritated areas.
- Eases nerve pressure. Less tension around the nerve means less pain down your back and legs.
- Releases natural painkillers. Boosts endorphins, your body’s way of calming pain and stress.
- Fixes mobility issues. Looser muscles improve how you move and reduce the risk of recurrences.
- Better overall comfort. Regular sciatica massage sessions can help manage symptoms and make everyday life and activities easier.
Discover
Types of Massage Therapy for Sciatica Relief
There isn’t just one kind of sciatica pain relief massage. A few techniques can help, depending on what your body responds to best. Some styles focus on easing deep muscle tension, while others aim to relax the nervous system. The right massage for you might depend on how severe your symptoms are and how sensitive the area feels. Below are some common types of massage techniques for sciatica.
1
Deep tissue massage
A deep tissue massage targets the muscles and connective tissues, helping to ease the tightness that can press against the sciatic nerve and cause discomfort and pain. Therapists use slow, firm pressure to reach problem areas – especially in the lower back, glutes, and legs – where tight muscles may be pinching the nerve. This kind of massage can be useful in reducing pain, improving mobility, and preventing future recurrences. While it can feel intense, it’s effective for people with chronic sciatica.
2
Swedish massage
Swedish massage therapy for sciatica is a very gentle, full-body technique. Swedish massage usually uses long, smooth strokes to relax muscles and improve blood circulation. For people with sciatica, it helps ease general muscle tension without applying deep pressure, making it a good option for people suffering from sensitivity or inflammation. Better blood flow and calmer nervous system means high effectiveness at reducing pain and supporting healing. It’s especially helpful for managing stress, which can make sciatic symptoms worse. This kind of massage is perfect for people who prefer gentler massage paired with deep relaxation.
3
Trigger point therapy
This therapy focuses on tight knots in muscles that can refer pain to other areas – like from the glutes to the legs in sciatica cases. Therapists apply direct pressure to specific trigger points, especially in the lower back or piriformis muscle, where tightness often irritates the sciatic nerve. By easing these tense spots, trigger point therapy can help reduce nerve pressure, fix mobility issues, and ease radiating pain. It’s especially useful for people whose sciatica is caused by muscle tension rather than spine issues.
4
Neuromuscular massage
Neuromuscular massage is a precise massage technique that targets muscle issues and nerve compression, which are common in sciatica. The therapist focuses on specific areas – like the lower back, hips, and legs – using pressure to release tight muscles and improve how your nerves function. It helps lower the pressure on the sciatic nerve and eases pain that travels down the leg. It also improves blood circulation and muscle function, making daily activities more comfortable. Neuromuscular massage is a good option when sciatica is caused by chronic muscle tension or postural issues.
5
Myofascial release
Myofascial release is a gentle massage for sciatica pain that focuses on stiffness in the soft tissues surrounding the sciatic nerve. It’s especially useful when tight muscles and fascia cause movement issues or pain. This method usually focuses on the lower back and hips. Usually it focuses on areas like piriformis muscle, because it often presses on the sciatic nerve. Light pressure and slow movements help loosen the tissue, making it easier and less painful to move.
6
Hot stone massage
Hot stone massage uses smooth, heated stones placed on certain places like on the lower back and glutes to help relax tight muscles and improve blood circulation. For people with sciatica, the heat helps relax deep muscle layers that may be pressing on the sciatic nerve. This reduces tension, improves blood flow, and makes it easier for the therapist to work on problem spots without applying intense pressure. It’s a good choice for anyone who needs relief but in a gentler way.
Still have questions about whether Sciatica Massage is right for you?
Schedule a consultation here to find out!
Discover
Massage for Sciatica Pain Relief at Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL
At Copper Wellness in Chicago, IL, we provide professional massage therapy as part of a sciatica pain treatment. Our licensed therapists focus on easing muscle tension, improving circulation, and reducing nerve pressure to help you move and feel better. What sets us apart is our genuine commitment to integrative health – we mix massage with options like chiropractic care and acupuncture for sciatica to effectively treat the cause of your sciatica pain, not just the symptoms.
If you’re tired of living with sciatic pain, let Copper Wellness help. Schedule your massage today to find long-awaited relief.
About results
Reviews About Sciatica Massage
I have been going to Copper Wellness for nearly 4 years and cannot say enough good things about the clinic and all of their providers. Dr. Madden is a truly exceptional acupuncturist. I worked with her almost weekly during my first pregnancy and postpartum, and now for my second pregnancy, and she has been such a blessing with hormone health, stress and anxiety management, digestion, and sleep. She has the most amazing presence and all of her guidance has always been spot on. I also saw Dr Mohr during my first pregnancy to help with pregnancy aches and pains and pelvic positioning - he is also wonderful, so knowledgeable and kind and helped relieve a lot of my physical symptoms during that time. I’ve gone to Benicia for massage too and she is one of the best! (and I’ve seen a lot of massage therapists in my life)
I am moving from Chicago soon and truly going to miss this amazing clinic.
I am moving from Chicago soon and truly going to miss this amazing clinic.
Response from the owner 11:44 03 Jun 25
Dear Marianna,Thank you so much for your kind words and for being with us all these years. We're honored to have supported you through both pregnancies. Dr. Madden, Dr. Mohr, and Benicia will be touched by your feedback. Wishing you all the best in your move — you'll always be part of the Copper Wellness family! 
Dr. Mohr helped me tremendously with lower back pain and SI joint pain years ago and I still use the exercises he provided me to sustain feeling better. He used multiple techniques and movement based therapies to improve my ability to bend and lie down without pain.
Response from the owner 07:57 26 May 25
Thank you so much, Jack! We're truly glad to hear you're still feeling better — your kind words mean a lot to us! 
I have received services and initially had good intentions for a relationship with this clinic, but the billing issues and poor customer service significantly affected my experience and I feel compelled to share.
From the beginning, I was clear that billing transparency was important to me. Despite that, I ran into repeated issues with billing. The clinic charged me estimated amounts that didn’t ultimately match my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from UnitedHealthcare, and when I brought up the discrepancies—with actual documentation to back it up—I was met with defensiveness rather than a willingness to resolve things collaboratively.
One particularly strange policy I encountered was that this clinic might charge a “clinic fee” if UnitedHealthcare doesn’t accommodate their cash rates. This seems to blur the lines between in-network and out-of-network billing.
Meanwhile, claims weren’t submitted to insurance promptly, which delayed payments and caused unnecessary confusion—none of which was my fault as the patient.
Bottom line: I paid what I was invoiced on time, asked reasonable questions when things didn’t add up, and was made to feel like I was the problem for doing so. I’ve since paused services until this can be sorted out—and I feel compelled to share my experience here.
From the beginning, I was clear that billing transparency was important to me. Despite that, I ran into repeated issues with billing. The clinic charged me estimated amounts that didn’t ultimately match my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from UnitedHealthcare, and when I brought up the discrepancies—with actual documentation to back it up—I was met with defensiveness rather than a willingness to resolve things collaboratively.
One particularly strange policy I encountered was that this clinic might charge a “clinic fee” if UnitedHealthcare doesn’t accommodate their cash rates. This seems to blur the lines between in-network and out-of-network billing.
Meanwhile, claims weren’t submitted to insurance promptly, which delayed payments and caused unnecessary confusion—none of which was my fault as the patient.
Bottom line: I paid what I was invoiced on time, asked reasonable questions when things didn’t add up, and was made to feel like I was the problem for doing so. I’ve since paused services until this can be sorted out—and I feel compelled to share my experience here.
Response from the owner 18:14 28 May 25
Hi Tina, I am sorry that your experience was not as you had hoped at Copper Wellness. Before starting treatment all patients using insurance are given a breakdown of what their benefits cover at the clinic. Because of your shared concern about billing transparency, we also provided a breakdown of all potential charges for every type of appointment covered by insurance after your first treatment and before continuing care. We are happy to do this with any patient. Insurance billing is not an automated process, we submit the claims based on our insurance contracts with these companies and are paid as such. If there is a discrepancy in an overpayment it is issued back to the patient.We understand insurance can be frustrating and confusing which is why we contract a certified outside billing team to ensure the efficiency and accuracy of our billing practices. After reviewing all the communication I thought it was best to refer you to another practice which is local to you and within your network. As the owner and a practitioner I believe it is best that your healthcare environment be in a place that makes you feel relaxed and supported. I am sorry that cannot be us however we all wish you the best of luck with your journey. 
Copper Wellness has been a pivotal part of my wellness routine since moving to Chicago - can’t the imagine the city without them!
Response from the owner 14:31 21 Feb 25
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re grateful to be part of your integrative health and wellness journey and truly appreciate your support. Looking forward to seeing you again! 
I've been seeing Dr Stephanie Madden since last year, and the experience has been truly transformative. Overall, Copper Wellness is both calming and welcoming. Stephanie is always attentive to my needs, whether they are physical, mental or emotional. I always leave feeling more balanced than when I came. It's obvious that she truly cares about the well-being of her patients. If you are considering acupuncture, this is the place to go!
Response from the owner 08:17 10 Feb 25
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so glad to hear that your experience at Copper Wellness has been transformative. We appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to support you on your wellness journey! 
I can't say enough great things about my experience at Copper Wellness! Dr. Madden is truly incredible. She has been instrumental in helping me manage my weight and find relief from stress, something I've struggled with for a long time. Her personalized approach, calm demeanor, and deep knowledge made me feel completely comfortable and cared for during each session!
Response from the owner 08:17 10 Feb 25
Thank you for your kind words! We're so happy to hear you’ve had a great experience at Copper Wellness. Dr. Madden is dedicated to personalized care, and we’re grateful to be part of your health journey! 
Copper Wellness has been a blessing in my life, I cant stop talking about the progress that Dr. Madden's treatment plan has made in my mental and physical health. The environment is calm, welcoming, and always filled with positive energy. I discovered Dr. Madden during a period of self reflection, I felt an imbalance in my life. When we met, she explained the practice and how it can impact the symptoms I was feeling. Acupuncture as a whole can change your life - it has mine, and Dr. Madden is the perfect provider to guide you to your ultimate wellness. Thank You Copper!
Response from the owner 18:17 27 Jan 25
You're a true testament to you get out what you put in. You've been so dedicated to your care and it's a gift to see you thriving in the happiness you've created for yourself. We love to be along for the ride and see how feeling your best helps you tackle your dreams. 
I've been seeing Dr. Mohr for a number of years now and the results have been amazing! From the first visit, I felt welcomed and listened to. My back pain has significantly improved, and I feel more energized and aligned (pun intended). Highly recommend if you're looking for top-notch care!
Response from the owner 18:18 27 Jan 25
Thanks Joe! We love the dad jokes, keep 'em coming 🙂 
Copper Wellness has been my point of care for everything related to my body and immune system consistently for 3 years now. I started my journey when my low back and glute were bothering me. Between Adam for muscle and movement work in addition to adjustments and Stephanie for my first round of acupuncture continued through to two of the hardest athletic years of my life running 7 marathons and competing in 6 IM events I owe my body to this group. They always keep my races top of mind when treating me but more importantly work on exercise and life habit changes to improve any issues I’m experiencing rather than just putting a “bandaid” on something that hurts. Also note that the massage therapy is unbelievable, Blu as a MT is life changing and all of the practitioners communicate across practices so that all care is tailored to areas I need focused on. I HIGHLY recommend this group.
Response from the owner 18:40 27 Jan 25
Whitney! Literally always keeping us on our toes keeping up with your impressive and successful yearly race schedule. It's been awesome to see you achieve your goals while enjoying the process. Can't wait to see what you have scheduled for this year. 
Absolutely love this place. I go to Dr. Madden for Acupuncture and she not only will take time to sit and listen to what is going on with my body, but she'll also curate a plan of attack that is personalized to my needs. I absolutely love coming here and appreciate everything that they do.
Response from the owner 18:38 27 Jan 25
Thank you Lauren 
I. Love. This. Place! I see both Dr. Mimosa for chiropractic and Dr. Madden for acupuncture, and they are two of the best practitioners of *any* type of medicine I've EVER worked with. They listen. They care. They genuinely want to help you feel your best. I can't recommend them and Copper Wellness enough.
Best Chiropractors in the city yall!! Dr.Mimosa is sweet and easy to talk to. Dr. Adam is very easy to talk to as well. Highly recommend!!!
Can't say enough good things about Anais. Very professional, very knowledgably, and just an amazing caring person! You are in the best of hands with her, would highly recommend!
I have been seeing Dr. Madden for acupuncture for almost a year now and I don't know where I'd be without her. She's incredible at what she does and the entire staff is awesome.
Anais is simply the best! Had a great review, consultation of problem areas and left feeling like I was on a cloud! Can't wait to go back, highly recommend the electrode therapy, it was amazing.
Dr Madden is a miracle worker. For over a year I had issues with my feet. She was the 1st to say my calf’s were right! Her acupuncture was spot on and helped right away. The stress caused issues in my neck as well that she helped not only with acupuncture but cupping as well. Her care and compassion is amazing. I will continue on maintenance because she is so amazing. ‼️
Copper Wellness has been a pivotal part of my health journey! The integrative services that are offered are tailored to my needs/situation. Specifically, when I needed to start doing massage therapy for upper and lower back pain, Cameron Sand did a great job from the start making me feel comfortable. Whenever I have a question, they answer it readily and explain how and what they are doing during our session. I’ve seen a huge improvement since working with them and couldn’t recommend them enough!
I sincerely wish that I could give Dr. Stephanie Madden 1 million stars. From the time that I met her for consultation through my entire acupuncture journey with her, she was incredibly attentive, genuine, personable, professional, precise, safe, knowledgeable, skilled, and wise with her work. I saw Dr. Madden for about 1 a little over a year to help resolve physical issues from emotional traumas and sufferings in my life. I cannot stress how different my life is from when I first saw her. She helped me get to core issues in my physical health that other doctors never came close to articulating, let alone being aware. Working those physical issues directly helped me so much with my emotional health. My quality of life now is so much better because of her contributions to my healing journey. After working with Dr. Madden, she is a practitioner that I trust and deeply respect. If anyone ever asks me to recommend an acupuncturist, I would never hesitate to recommend anyone to her. I even recommended her to one of my friends on his journey to receive a heart transplant, and she made a positive impact on his quality of life. He had nothing but positive things to say about her (and now he is thriving with a new heart!). Dr. Stephanie Madden has made a wonderful impact on my life, and I can only imagine the impact she is making on the lives of others whom encounter her. She is someone that has answered her call in life, and is absolutely brilliant at it. Brilliant!
Look to
Our Insurance Partners
We accept most major insurance plans depending on your type of service.
Got a question?
FAQs About Massage Therapy for Sciatica
Does Massage Help Sciatica?
Yes, massage can help relieve sciatica. Therapeutic massage reduces muscle tension, improves blood flow, and promotes relaxation around the sciatic nerve. This can ease pressure on the nerve, reduce pain, and improve mobility. Regular massage therapy is often used alongside other treatments to manage sciatica symptoms effectively.
Is Massage Good for Sciatica?
Yes, massage is good for sciatica. It helps reduce inflammation, relax tight muscles, and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. This can lead to decreased pain, improved mobility, and faster healing. Massage therapy is a natural, non-invasive option for managing sciatica symptoms and supporting long-term recovery.
Is Deep Tissue Massage Good for Sciatica?
Yes, deep tissue massage is good for sciatica. It targets deep muscle layers to release chronic tension, reduce inflammation, and relieve pressure on the sciatic nerve. This can help decrease pain, improve mobility, and support nerve healing. Deep tissue massage is often recommended for long-term relief from sciatica symptoms.
What Type of Massage Is Best for Sciatica?
The best type of massage for sciatica is deep tissue massage, as it targets muscle tension and inflammation around the sciatic nerve. Other effective options include trigger point therapy, neuromuscular massage, and myofascial release. These techniques help relieve pressure on the nerve, reduce pain, and improve mobility.
How Often Should You Get a Massage for Sciatica?
You should get a massage for sciatica 1 to 2 times per week during the initial phase of treatment. Frequent sessions help reduce pain, inflammation, and muscle tension more effectively. As symptoms improve, the frequency can be reduced to once every two to four weeks for maintenance and long-term relief.
Does Massage Therapy Help Sciatica?
Yes, massage therapy helps sciatica by reducing muscle tension, increasing blood flow, and relieving pressure on the sciatic nerve. It can ease pain, improve mobility, and support the body’s natural healing process. Massage is a non-invasive, drug-free option commonly used to manage and relieve sciatica symptoms.
Contact us
Contact Information
Learn more about our clinic and doctors and why they are trusted by so many families in our community.
Phone Number:
Email:
Address:
Opening Hours:
Mon: 11AM - 8PM
Tue - Thu: 9AM - 8PM
Fri: 9AM - 6PM
Sat: 9AM - 4PM
Tue - Thu: 9AM - 8PM
Fri: 9AM - 6PM
Sat: 9AM - 4PM
Contact us
Find us