Sciatica is one of the most common reasons people in Mona Vale and across the Northern Beaches walk through our door. A sharp or burning pain that travels from the lower back or buttock down the leg can be alarming, especially when it stops you sleeping, sitting or getting out of the car. The good news is that most cases settle with the right guidance, and understanding what is going on is the first step.
What is sciatica?
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself. It is a description of pain that follows the path of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg.
The most common cause is irritation of one of the nerve roots in the lower back. This can happen with a disc injury (see our earlier post on disc bulges and herniations), but it can also come from joint or soft tissue irritation around the nerve. Importantly, a disc bulge on a scan does not always mean a disc is the source of your pain. Many people with no symptoms at all have bulges.
Common symptoms
- Pain in the buttock or down the back of the leg, often on one side
- A burning, shooting or electric sensation
- Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that worsens with sitting, coughing, sneezing or bending forward
- Sometimes a dull ache in the lower back, though some people have little back pain at all
What can trigger it?
Sciatica often appears after a change in load rather than one single event. Common triggers include:
- A sudden increase in activity (a big weekend in the garden, a new running program, a surf trip)
- Long periods of sitting, such as driving, flights or desk work
- Lifting and twisting, especially with a rounded back
- Previous episodes of lower back pain
What you can do right now
- Keep moving gently. Short, regular walks are usually better than bed rest. Rest for long periods tends to make you stiffer and more sensitive.
- Find a comfortable position. Many people find lying on their back with legs supported on a chair, or lying on the unaffected side with a pillow between the knees, eases the pain.
- Break up sitting. Stand and move every 30 minutes, and consider a small support behind your lower back in the car.
- Avoid pushing into sharp leg pain. Mild, tolerable discomfort is generally fine. Sharp or worsening leg pain is a sign to ease off.
- Return to activity gradually as symptoms settle, rather than all at once.
How long does it take to settle?
Many people notice improvement within a few weeks, and most improve over a period of weeks to a few months, but recovery varies from person to person. Some cases take longer, particularly where there has been significant nerve irritation. Staying active and getting an accurate assessment early can help you avoid unnecessary delays.
How a Mona Vale chiropractor can help with sciatica
A thorough history and examination, including orthopaedic and neurological tests, helps us work out what is driving your pain and whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you. Depending on your findings, care may include:
- Hands-on treatment such as joint mobilisation / manipulation and soft tissue release
- Education on positions and activities that ease your symptoms
- A tailored exercise program to build strength and control as pain settles
- Guidance on returning to work, sport and the things you enjoy
Where needed, we will refer you to your GP or another health professional, or recommend imaging.
When to seek urgent medical attention
Most sciatica is not dangerous, but some symptoms need prompt medical care. Go to your nearest emergency department or see a doctor urgently if you have:
- Loss of bladder or bowel control, or difficulty passing urine
- Numbness around the groin, genitals or inner thighs (“saddle” numbness)
- Rapidly worsening weakness in a leg or a foot that drops
- Severe pain following a significant fall or accident
- Fever, unexplained weight loss, or a history of cancer alongside new back pain
Sciatica FAQs
Is sciatica serious?
Most sciatica is not dangerous and improves over time. The exceptions are the warning signs listed above, which need urgent medical care.
Can I exercise with sciatica?
Gentle activity such as walking is generally encouraged. Ease off if leg pain becomes sharp or worse, and get individual advice on what suits your situation.
Should I see a GP or a chiropractor for sciatica?
Either is a reasonable starting point. See your GP promptly if you have any red flag symptoms or need medication. A chiropractor can assess your back and leg, provide hands-on care and exercise advice, and refer you on if needed.
Book a sciatica assessment in Mona Vale
If leg pain, back pain or pins and needles are getting in the way of your week, an assessment can help identify what is going on and the best way to manage it.
Book online or call us on 02 9997 5773.