Sciatica: What It Is, What Causes It, and How Chiropractic Care May Help
Written by Dr Joel Maylor, Chiropractor — Freeman Chiropractic, Victoria Park
Key Takeaways
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis — the term describes pain travelling along the sciatic nerve, but the underlying cause varies between individuals
Common causes include disc bulges, spinal joint irritation, and piriformis syndrome — identifying which is driving your symptoms is the critical first step
If sciatica pain is unbearable or has persisted beyond a few days, a proper assessment is more useful than guessing at home exercises
Some patients find chiropractic assessment and care helpful in managing sciatica symptoms and supporting recovery
Gentle movement is generally better than complete rest — but the right movement depends on what's causing your symptoms
If you've been searching for sciatica treatment in Perth, chances are you're dealing with something that's hard to ignore — a sharp, burning, or shooting pain that starts in your lower back or buttock and travels down one leg. It can range from a dull ache to something that stops you in your tracks. Whatever the intensity, it's worth understanding what's actually going on before trying to manage it yourself.
What is sciatica, exactly?
Sciatica isn't a diagnosis in itself — it's a description of symptoms. Specifically, it refers to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower spine through your buttock and down the back of your leg, sometimes all the way to your foot.
The reason this distinction matters is that the same symptoms can have quite different causes, and what helps one person may aggravate another.
What causes sciatica?
The most common causes we see at Freeman Chiropractic include:
Disc bulge or herniation When one of the intervertebral discs in your lower back bulges or herniates, it can press on the nerve roots that form the sciatic nerve. This is one of the more common causes, particularly in people who do a lot of lifting, sitting, or both.
Lumbar joint irritation The small joints of the lower spine (facet joints) can become irritated or restricted, contributing to nerve sensitivity and referred pain down the leg.
Piriformis syndrome The sciatic nerve passes close to — and in some people, through — a deep gluteal muscle called the piriformis. If this muscle is tight or in spasm, it can compress the nerve and produce sciatica-like symptoms without any disc involvement at all.
Spinal stenosis In older patients particularly, a narrowing of the spinal canal can place pressure on the nerve roots, producing symptoms that often worsen with standing or walking.
This is why a thorough assessment matters. Without knowing which structure is involved, it's difficult to know whether stretching, movement, or hands-on care is the right approach — or whether any of those things need to be modified for your situation.
What can you do at home when sciatica pain is bad?
When sciatica pain is at its worst, the instinct is often to stop moving entirely. In most cases, complete rest isn't the most helpful approach — but neither is pushing through pain with exercises you found online.
A few things that are generally well-tolerated while you're waiting for an assessment:
Gentle walking at a comfortable pace, for short distances, is usually better than lying still
Heat or cold packs applied to the lower back or buttock can help manage discomfort in the short term — try both and use whichever gives more relief
Avoiding aggravating positions — if sitting makes it worse, stand; if standing makes it worse, sit with support. Pay attention to what your body is telling you
Avoiding the urge to aggressively stretch — stretches like the piriformis stretch can help some people and aggravate others depending on the cause. If a stretch makes symptoms travel further down the leg, stop
These are holding strategies. They may take the edge off, but they won't resolve the underlying issue.
When should you see a chiropractor for sciatica?
If your symptoms have persisted for more than a few days, are worsening, or are affecting your sleep or ability to work, it's worth getting assessed. A chiropractor can help identify the likely source of your symptoms, explain what's contributing to them, and discuss the options available to you.
At Freeman Chiropractic, an initial assessment for sciatica includes a detailed history, movement and neurological testing, and where appropriate, a referral for imaging if it's needed to understand what's going on. From there, a care plan is tailored to your specific situation.
We work with patients who present with sciatica ranging from recent onset to long-standing symptoms. Some find that chiropractic care supports a meaningful reduction in symptoms and improvement in function. Others benefit from a combination of hands-on care and guided rehabilitation — which is an area Dr Joel Maylor has particular interest in, given his background in exercise science and sports rehabilitation.
Can chiropractic care help with sciatica?
Chiropractic assessment and care is one option for people experiencing sciatica symptoms. Some patients find it helpful in managing pain, improving mobility, and supporting recovery. Results vary depending on the underlying cause, how long symptoms have been present, and individual factors.
If you've been managing sciatica on your own without improvement, or you're not sure what's causing your symptoms, a proper assessment is a sensible starting point. You can learn more about how we approach sciatica at our sciatica page, or book directly below.
Ready to get your sciatica assessed?
If you're dealing with pain, numbness, or tingling down your leg and want to understand what's driving it, we're here to help. Book an appointment with Dr Joel Maylor or Dr Alex Freeman at Freeman Chiropractic in Victoria Park.
