Sciatica Treatment Perth | Freeman Chiropractic Victoria Park
Sciatica is a common condition that can cause pain, tingling, numbness, or discomfort that travels from the lower back into the buttock, leg, or foot. It is one of the more common nerve-related complaints we see at our Victoria Park clinic.
Many people assume sciatica is simply a "back problem," but symptoms are often influenced by a combination of factors involving the lower back, pelvis, hips, muscles, and nervous system.
At Freeman Chiropractic, we don't just focus on where the symptoms are felt. We assess how the lower back, pelvis, hips, and surrounding structures are functioning together, as these areas can often contribute to ongoing irritation and movement restrictions.
Why do I have sciatica?
Sciatica occurs when the sciatic nerve becomes irritated or sensitive somewhere along its pathway. While symptoms can develop suddenly, they often build gradually over time due to repetitive stress, reduced mobility, or underlying spinal changes.
Common contributing factors seen in practice include:
Prolonged sitting and sedentary work
Disc-related irritation in the lower back
Reduced mobility through the hips and pelvis
Previous lower back injuries
Repetitive lifting or bending
Muscle tension through the glutes and hip region
Poor movement patterns during work or exercise
Age-related changes within the spine
Many people are surprised to learn that the location of symptoms is not always where the primary issue originates. Pain travelling into the leg may be related to irritation occurring higher up in the lower back or pelvis.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica refers to symptoms associated with irritation or sensitivity of the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the body.
Rather than being a diagnosis itself, sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms that can include pain, tingling, numbness, burning sensations, or weakness travelling from the lower back into the buttock, leg, or foot.
Symptoms may vary from mild and intermittent to more persistent discomfort that affects sitting, walking, exercise, and daily activities.
What are the common symptoms of sciatica?
Sciatica can present differently from person to person depending on the structures involved and the degree of nerve irritation.
Lower Back and Leg Pain
Pain that begins in the lower back or buttock and travels down the leg.
Tingling or Pins and Needles
Altered sensation that may extend into the thigh, calf, or foot.
Numbness
Reduced sensation in certain areas of the leg or foot.
Burning or Sharp Pain
Some people describe sciatica as burning, shooting, or electric-like pain.
Weakness
In some cases, nerve irritation may be associated with weakness in the leg or foot.
When should I see a chiropractor for sciatica?
You don't need to wait until symptoms become severe before seeking an assessment.
You may consider having your symptoms assessed if:
Pain is travelling into the buttock or leg
Sitting aggravates your symptoms
Tingling or numbness keeps returning
Walking or exercise has become uncomfortable
Symptoms are affecting work or sleep
Back pain and leg pain are occurring together
Symptoms are gradually worsening over time
Early assessment is often about understanding what may be contributing to nerve irritation and identifying movement patterns that could be placing ongoing stress on the lower back and surrounding structures.
Sciatica is rarely influenced by one factor alone. It is often associated with how the lower back, pelvis, hips, and nervous system are functioning together.
At our Victoria Park clinic, we focus on identifying these contributing factors and assessing movement throughout the spine and lower body to help support improved function and everyday comfort.
Sciatica Chiropractors
Dr Alex Freeman
Hands on chiropractic care tailored to sciatica and nerve-related discomfort.
Dr Joel Maylor
Movement-focused care supporting spinal mobility and physical function.
5 stars by 100+ clients
“Alex is incredibly knowledgeable, genuine and patient focused. His clinic is a wonderful space and the staff are friendly & professional.”
— Natalia N.“Highly recommend practioner Joel, his knowledge and experience is shown through his approach to treatment. I appreciate his insight on looking at the body holistically”
— Jess B“Really amazing clinic. Very caring and thorough, and attentive to patient needs.”
— Chrissy L
YOUR CARE IN 3 STEPS
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01
Understand what's going on.
We start with a thorough assessment to understand your concerns and determine the right approach for you.
✓ Health history & physical assessment
✓ Muscle activity scans (sEMG)
✓ Xray referral, if clinically indicated
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02
Hands on care tailored to you.
Based on your assessment your treatment plan may include:
✓ Chiropractic adjustments
✓ Dry needling
✓ Soft tissue therapy
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03
As you move beyond your initial care, ongoing care can be tailored to your needs, goals and lifestyle — helping maintain your progress and support movement and function over time.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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No, you do not need a GP referral to book an appointment at Freeman Chiropractic. You can book directly online or by calling the clinic.
If you have relevant imaging (X-rays, MRIs) or medical reports, please bring these to your first visit.
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You are welcome to use our online booking system to find a convenient time for you.
Alternatively, you can call or text the clinic to arrange your next appointment. Our clinic number is 0493 290 505
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The number of visits varies depending on your individual situation, the nature of your complaint, and how your body responds to care. Your chiropractor will discuss a recommended care plan with you following your initial assessment. We believe in keeping you informed throughout the process and reviewing your progress regularly.
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Your first visit typically takes around 30 minutes and is designed to give us a clear understanding of your health and what’s contributing to your symptoms.
Health History
We begin by discussing your current concerns and health history, so we can build a complete picture of your overall health.
Comprehensive Assessment
You’ll then undergo a thorough physical assessment, which may include postural, movement, neurological, and orthopedic testing where appropriate.
This helps us understand how your body is functioning as a whole—not just where you’re experiencing pain.
Further Investigation (If Needed)
In some cases, we may refer you for X-rays to better understand your condition. These are only recommended when clinically appropriate and are bulk billed through Medicare where eligible.
Explanation & Next Steps
After your assessment, your chiropractor will explain their findings and discuss what’s going on in a clear, straightforward way.
We’ll walk you through your options so you can make an informed decision about your care.
If appropriate, treatment may begin on your first visit.
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Our patients present to us with many different conditions including but not limited to; back pain and sciatica, neck pain, headaches, sports specific injuries including running injuries, surfing and swimming injuries, hip pain, shoulder pain, dizziness and vertigo and stress related pains.
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A chiropractor is a registered healthcare practitioner who specialises in the assessment, diagnosis, and management of conditions affecting the spine, joints, and nervous system. At Freeman Chiropractic, our chiropractors use hands-on manual techniques — including spinal adjustments and soft tissue work — to support better movement, reduce discomfort, and help your body function as well as possible.
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Chiropractic care is widely used and generally considered safe when provided by a registered practitioner. At Freeman Chiropractic, all of our chiropractors are registered with AHPRA (the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency) and follow evidence-informed practice guidelines.
Every patient begins with a thorough assessment to ensure care is appropriate, specific, and guided by clinical findings. We also offer lower-force techniques for patients who prefer a gentler approach.
Your chiropractor will take the time to explain your care and answer any questions during your initial consultation, so you can feel informed and comfortable moving forward.
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Yes, Freeman Chiropractic provides chiropractic assessments and care for pregnant patients. Pregnancy places significant demands on the spine and pelvis, and some patients find chiropractic support helpful during this time. We use techniques that are appropriate for each stage of pregnancy. Please let us know you are pregnant when booking so we can prepare appropriately.
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Many Australian private health insurance extras policies include chiropractic care. The amount covered depends on your specific fund and level of cover. We recommend contacting your health insurer directly to confirm your entitlements before your first appointment.
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Yes, Freeman Chiropractic sees patients of all ages. We regularly support families, including children and teenagers, with musculoskeletal complaints. Chiropractic techniques used for younger patients are adapted to be appropriate for their age and stage of development.
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Not necessarily — and that's intentional. Your first visit is primarily an assessment. Dr Alex or Dr Joel will take the time to properly understand your history, examine how your body is moving, and explain what they find. Whether any hands-on care begins at that first appointment depends entirely on what the assessment reveals and what feels appropriate for your situation. Some patients do receive care at their first visit, while others benefit from completing the assessment first and beginning care at a follow-up appointment. Either way, nothing happens without your full understanding and agreement. You'll always know exactly what we're doing and why before we do anything.
