Conditions we Treat
Sciatica
Introduction.
Sciatica can cause pain, tingling or numbness that travels from your lower back into your buttock and down your leg. The symptoms can range from mild to severe and may make walking, sitting or sleeping uncomfortable. Although sciatica can feel alarming, many cases improve with appropriate management. A thorough assessment is the best way to identify what may be contributing to your symptoms.
What is it?
Sciatica is not a condition itself but a term used to describe irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or one of the nerve roots that form it. This usually occurs in the lower back and can cause symptoms anywhere along the nerve’s pathway into the leg. Common causes include a disc bulge, age-related changes or narrowing around the nerves, although not everyone with these findings experiences symptoms.
Symptoms.
Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into one leg, often reaching the calf or foot. You may also experience tingling, pins and needles, numbness or weakness in the affected leg, with symptoms often worsening during prolonged sitting, coughing or sneezing. Seek urgent medical attention if you develop loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the saddle area, significant leg weakness or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms.
Causes.
Sciatica usually develops when a nerve in the lower back becomes irritated or compressed. This may be related to a disc bulge, age-related changes, spinal narrowing, previous injury or, less commonly, other underlying conditions. Everyday factors such as lifting, prolonged sitting, changes in activity levels or reduced physical conditioning may also contribute, although sciatica rarely has a single cause.
How we can help…
Following a detailed assessment, we will explain what may be contributing to your symptoms and discuss the management options most appropriate for you. Depending on your findings, this may include chiropractic treatment, manual therapy, rehabilitation, education and advice where clinically appropriate. Recommendations are always based on your assessment, goals and individual preferences, and we will refer you for further investigation if indicated.
Rehabilitation and self-management.
For many people, remaining as active as symptoms allow is an important part of recovery. Gentle walking, sensible activity modification, good sleep habits and gradually returning to normal movement can often help. Because every case is different, advice should be tailored to your symptoms, and prolonged bed rest is generally not recommended unless specifically advised by another healthcare professional.
What to expect at your assessment.
Your appointment begins with a discussion about your symptoms, medical history and how sciatica affects your daily life. We will perform an appropriate physical examination, including movement and neurological assessment where indicated, before explaining our findings in straightforward language. If imaging or referral to another healthcare professional is clinically appropriate, we will discuss this with you.
What happens next.
After your assessment, we will explain the likely source of your symptoms, discuss your prognosis and outline the management options available. If appropriate, we will work with you to develop a personalised management plan that reflects your goals and monitor your progress over time. Recovery varies between individuals, and your care will always be tailored to your needs.