Sciatica: What It Is and How Chiropractic Care May Help

Sciatica has a way of taking over. Sitting through a meeting, driving to work, even getting comfortable in bed can turn into a battle with a burning, shooting pain down the back of your leg. Some people describe it as a toothache in the leg. Others feel pins and needles or numbness down to the foot.

This article explains what sciatica is, what can cause it, what a chiropractor looks for, and the warning signs that need urgent medical attention.

What is sciatica?

"Sciatica" describes pain that runs along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes into the foot. It's a description of symptoms rather than a diagnosis in itself.

Common features include:

Pain in the buttock and down the back of one leg
Burning, sharp or electric sensations
Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
Pain that's worse with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
Leg pain that feels worse than the back pain

What can cause it?

The most common cause is irritation of a nerve root in the lower back. This can happen with:

A disc bulge or herniation pressing on or inflaming a nerve
Narrowing of the spaces where nerves exit the spine (more common as we age)
Muscle tightness in the buttock, sometimes described as piriformis-related pain
Pregnancy, due to changes in posture and load

Many cases of sciatica settle over weeks to months with the right care and staying active.

What a chiropractor assesses

Your chiropractor will take a detailed history and do a thorough examination, including:

How your lower back and hips move
Nerve tests such as leg raises, reflexes, muscle strength and sensation
Posture, and how you sit, stand and bend
Screening for warning signs that need medical investigation

If imaging is needed, your chiropractor can explain why and arrange a referral. Many people don't need scans, and your chiropractor will explain the reasoning either way.

What care may involve

If your chiropractor thinks they can help, they'll explain the plan and what to expect. Care may include:

Gentle adjustments or mobilisation of the lower back and pelvis
Soft tissue work for the lower back, hips and buttocks
Specific exercises to keep you moving and gradually rebuild strength
Practical advice on sitting, driving, lifting and sleeping positions

Evidence suggests that staying active and using a combination of manual therapy and exercise may help some people with back-related leg pain, although recovery varies. Your chiropractor will review how you're going and let you know if a referral to your GP or a specialist would be more appropriate.

Seek urgent care if you have

Numbness around the groin, inner thighs or "saddle" area
New difficulty passing urine or controlling your bladder or bowels
Weakness in the leg or foot that's getting worse, or foot drop
Sciatica on both sides at once
Back pain with fever, unexplained weight loss or a history of cancer

These can be signs of a serious condition and need same-day medical assessment.

Things that often help in the meantime

Keep moving gently. Short walks are often better than long periods of bed rest.
Break up sitting with regular standing and walking.
Try sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees.

Book an assessment

If sciatica is stopping you from sitting through work, sleeping properly or getting back to the things you love, book an assessment. Learn more about sciatica care at Vitality Chiropractic, or book online at our Yokine clinic.

This article is general information only and isn't a substitute for individual advice from a registered health practitioner.