Conditions we treat
Sciatica: tracking the pain back to where it actually starts
Leg pain from sciatica can be intense, but most cases improve well with the right assessment and a structured, non-surgical plan.
Sciatica describes pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, typically from the lower back or buttock, down the back of the thigh, and sometimes into the calf or foot. It’s a symptom rather than a diagnosis in itself, which is why working out the actual source matters so much.
Most sciatica is caused by irritation of a nerve root in the lower back, often related to a disc (disc injuries) or tightness in the deep muscles of the buttock. The encouraging news is that the majority of cases improve significantly without surgery, usually within weeks to a few months with appropriate care.
Because sciatica can stem from a few different structures, we start with a thorough neurological and movement assessment to confirm where your pain is actually coming from before building a treatment plan.
Common signs & symptoms
- Sharp, shooting, or burning pain travelling down the back or side of one leg
- Numbness or pins and needles in the leg, foot, or toes
- Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, or sneezing
- A dull ache in the lower back or buttock alongside the leg pain
- Weakness in the leg or difficulty lifting the foot
- Pain that eases with lying down but returns with standing or walking
- A tendency to lean to one side to ease discomfort
What causes sciatica?
Disc irritation — a bulging or irritated disc can press on or inflame a nearby nerve root ([disc injuries](/conditions/disc-injuries/))
Piriformis tightness — a tight deep buttock muscle can irritate the sciatic nerve as it passes underneath or through it
Spinal stenosis — narrowing around the nerve
more common with age
Joint-related referral — irritated lower back joints can sometimes mimic true nerve pain
Prolonged sitting — long periods of sitting increase pressure on the lower discs and can aggravate symptoms
How we help at IA Chiropractic
We begin with a neurological screen, testing reflexes, strength, and sensation, alongside movement testing to identify the likely source of your sciatica and rule out anything requiring urgent referral.
Treatment is usually built around graded exercise prescription to reduce pressure on the nerve and improve tolerance, combined with Chiropractic adjustments or soft tissue therapy depending on what’s driving your specific presentation.
We’ll track your progress with objective measures, leg symptoms, movement, strength, not just how you feel on the day, and adjust the plan if things aren’t moving in the right direction.