Sciatica treatment in Edgeworth
Sciatica is pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg, caused by an irritated nerve root. It can be fierce, but most cases settle with time and the right conservative care. We help you get there, and we watch closely for the cases that need more.
How it can feel
Sciatica usually affects one leg. Typical signs are:
- Sharp, burning or electric pain running down the back or side of the leg
- Pain that's often worse in the leg than in the back
- Tingling, pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that flares with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
- In some cases, weakness in the foot or leg
What's usually behind it
Sciatica is a symptom, and the cause matters for how we treat it:
- A lumbar disc bulge or herniation irritating a nerve root, the most common cause
- Narrowing of the spaces around the nerves (spinal stenosis), more common as we age
- Irritation of the nerve as it passes through the muscles of the buttock
Not all leg pain is sciatica. Pain referred from the joints and muscles of the lower back or hip can feel similar and is treated differently, which is why the assessment matters.
Our approach to sciatica
Assess
We test the nerves (strength, reflexes and sensation) as well as how your back and hips move. That tells us how irritated the nerve is, whether conservative care is appropriate, and whether you need a scan or a specialist opinion.
Treat
Gentle, low-force treatment chosen for an irritable nerve. For many people that includes our flexion-distraction tables, which stretch the lower back slowly with no twisting or sudden thrust, plus advice on positions that ease the leg pain.
Rebuild
As the leg pain settles, we add nerve-friendly movement and strengthening so you can get back to work, sport and sleep, and lower the chance of another flare.
What does the research say? Most sciatica improves over weeks to a few months with conservative care. Research on flexion-distraction for sciatica is encouraging, though not the final word. We set it out plainly in our article on flexion-distraction.
When to get urgent help
This page is general information only and isn't a substitute for an individual assessment. Healthdirect, the Australian government's health information service, has more on sciatica.
Sciatica: your questions answered
How long does sciatica take to settle?
It varies. Many people improve over several weeks to a few months, and some take longer. We'll give you a realistic picture after your assessment and track your progress from there.
Do I need an MRI?
Not usually to begin with. Sciatica can generally be diagnosed from your history and examination. Imaging is useful if there are warning signs, significant weakness, or if things aren't improving as expected, and we'll refer you if so.
Is it safe to see a chiropractor with a disc bulge?
We choose techniques to suit an irritated disc and nerve and avoid anything forceful. Assessment always comes first, and if conservative care isn't right for you we'll tell you and help arrange the next step.
Should I rest in bed?
Short rests in a comfortable position are fine, but long periods of bed rest tend to slow recovery. Gentle walking and regular changes of position usually help.
Can I claim on my health fund?
Rebates are available on the spot for most extras policies that include chiropractic. Bring your health fund card to claim at the clinic.
You might also want to read
Disc bulge
Gentle, non-surgical care for bulging and herniated discs.
Read more →Lower back pain
Aches, stiffness and sharp catches in the low back, and how we get you moving again.
Read more →Flexion-distraction explained
How our gentle table treatment works and what the research says.
Read the article →Ready to get your sciatica looked at?
Start with a proper assessment at our Edgeworth clinic. No referral needed.