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Sciatica Treatment & Chiropractic Care
Assessment and treatment for sciatica, leg pain, tingling and numbness.
Sciatica can cause pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg, sometimes with tingling, numbness or weakness.
At Isis Chiropractic Centres, we assess what may be causing your symptoms, explain what we find and discuss whether chiropractic care, rehabilitation or further investigation may be appropriate.
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Is Sciatica Causing Pain Down Your Leg?
Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg. Some people also experience tingling, numbness or weakness.
The symptoms can vary considerably. For some people the pain is mild and irritating; for others it can make sitting, walking, driving, sleeping or working very difficult.
Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself. It describes symptoms associated with irritation or compression of a nerve supplying the leg.
At Isis Chiropractic Centres, we start by assessing what may be causing your symptoms, whether chiropractic care is appropriate and whether further investigation or referral may be needed.
What Is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is formed from nerves that leave the lower part of the spine and travel through the buttock into the leg.
When one of these nerves becomes irritated or compressed, symptoms can be felt anywhere along its pathway.
Sciatica most commonly affects one side, although symptoms can occasionally occur in both legs.
Typical symptoms may include:
- Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg
- Burning, shooting or electric-shock type pain
- Tingling or pins and needles
- Numbness
- Weakness in the leg or foot
- Pain aggravated by sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing
What Can Cause Sciatica?
Sciatica can have several causes. One of the most common is irritation of a spinal nerve in the lower back.
Possible causes include:
- Disc bulges or disc herniation
- Inflammation or irritation around a spinal nerve
- Degenerative changes affecting the joints or openings around the nerves
- Facet joint problems
- Sacroiliac joint problems
- Less commonly, irritation of the sciatic nerve outside the spine
Not every person with leg pain has sciatica, and not every case of sciatica is caused by a disc problem.
That is why assessment is important before deciding on treatment.
How Do We Assess Sciatica?
We Listen to Your Symptoms
We will ask where the pain travels, whether you have numbness or tingling, what makes the symptoms better or worse and how the problem is affecting your everyday activities.
We Examine Your Back and Nervous System
Your examination may include checking movement, muscle strength, reflexes, sensation and nerve tension, depending on your symptoms.
We Explain What We Find
We will explain whether your symptoms appear consistent with sciatica and what may be contributing to the problem.
We Discuss the Next Step
If chiropractic treatment is appropriate, we will explain the options available. If your symptoms suggest that further investigation or another healthcare professional would be more appropriate, we will advise you.
You can read more about how chiropractors assess and diagnose musculoskeletal problems.
Can Chiropractic Care Help With Sciatica?
Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some people with sciatica, depending on the cause of the symptoms and the findings from the examination.
Treatment is tailored to the individual and may include manual therapy, mobilisation, soft-tissue techniques, advice about activity and rehabilitation exercises.
The aim is to reduce pain and irritation, improve movement and help you gradually return to normal activity.
Where appropriate, treatment may be combined with rehabilitation exercise to improve strength, movement and confidence.
Is Sciatica Always Caused by a Slipped Disc?
No. A disc problem is one possible cause of sciatica, but it is not the only one.
The term “slipped disc” can also be misleading because discs do not literally slip out of place.
A disc can bulge or herniate, and in some cases this can irritate a nearby nerve and cause leg symptoms.
However, many people have disc changes on scans without experiencing sciatica, so imaging findings need to be considered alongside the person’s symptoms and examination.
Find out more about disc injuries →
Do I Need an MRI or X-Ray for Sciatica?
Not everyone with sciatica needs imaging.
In many cases, the history and physical examination provide enough information to begin appropriate management.
Imaging may be considered where symptoms are severe, unusual, not improving as expected, or where the result is likely to change the treatment plan.
All three Isis Chiropractic Centres have on-site X-ray facilities. Where appropriate, we can also arrange or refer for MRI or other investigations.
Should I Keep Moving With Sciatica?
For many people with uncomplicated sciatica, completely avoiding movement is not usually helpful.
Some activities may need to be modified temporarily, especially if they significantly aggravate the leg pain, but gradual movement and activity are generally encouraged as symptoms allow.
We will advise you about which movements and exercises are appropriate for your individual problem.
You may also find our back care and exercise advice helpful.
How Long Does Sciatica Take to Improve?
Recovery varies from person to person.
Some episodes settle relatively quickly, while others can take longer, particularly where there is significant nerve irritation or weakness.
The severity of the symptoms, the underlying cause, previous episodes and how the problem responds to treatment can all influence recovery.
We will review your progress and modify the treatment plan where necessary.
When Should Sciatica Be Assessed Urgently?
Most sciatica is not caused by a medical emergency, but some symptoms require urgent assessment.
Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:
- New numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs
- New difficulty controlling your bladder or bowels
- Increasing or significant weakness affecting one or both legs
- Symptoms affecting both legs at the same time
- Severe or rapidly worsening neurological symptoms
- Severe back or leg pain accompanied by feeling seriously unwell or feverish
Sciatica and Lower Back Pain
Sciatica can occur with or without significant lower back pain.
Some people mainly notice pain in the buttock or leg, while others have both back and leg symptoms.
If lower back pain is an important part of your symptoms, you can also read our Back Pain Treatment & Chiropractic Care page.
Other Conditions That Can Cause Similar Symptoms
Leg pain, tingling or numbness is not always caused by sciatica. Other conditions can produce similar symptoms.
Sciatica Treatment Near You
Isis Chiropractic Centres provides assessment and treatment for sciatica at our clinics in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury.
Sciatica Treatment in Milton Keynes
Our Milton Keynes clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.
Visit our Milton Keynes Chiropractic Clinic →
Sciatica Treatment in Northampton
Our Northampton clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities, rehabilitation facilities and free parking.
Visit our Northampton Chiropractic Clinic →
Sciatica Treatment in Aylesbury
Our Aylesbury clinic provides chiropractic assessment and treatment, on-site X-ray facilities and free patient parking.
Visit our Aylesbury Chiropractic Clinic →
Frequently Asked Questions About Sciatica
What does sciatica feel like?
Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels into the buttock or leg. It may feel sharp, burning, shooting or electric and can sometimes be accompanied by tingling, numbness or weakness.
Can sciatica affect the foot?
Yes. Depending on which nerve is irritated, symptoms can extend into the lower leg, ankle, foot or toes.
Can sciatica cause numbness or weakness?
Yes. Sciatica can sometimes cause numbness, tingling or weakness as well as pain. Significant or increasing weakness should be assessed promptly.
Do I need to see my GP before seeing a chiropractor?
You can normally book directly with a chiropractor.
If your history or examination suggests that you need medical assessment, imaging or referral to another healthcare professional, we will explain this to you.
Will I need treatment if the pain starts improving?
Not necessarily. The appropriate approach depends on the cause, severity and progression of your symptoms.
Our role is to assess the problem, explain what we find and advise you on the most appropriate next step rather than assume that everyone requires the same treatment programme.
Start by Understanding What Is Causing Your Leg Pain
You do not need to know whether your symptoms are coming from a disc, joint or nerve before you book.
That is what the assessment is for.
Our chiropractors in Milton Keynes, Northampton and Aylesbury will assess your symptoms, explain what we find and discuss the treatment or investigation options that may be appropriate for you.