Sciatica

Understanding your symptoms and finding a way forward

Sciatica is a term used to describe a pattern of symptoms involving pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg. It is usually associated with irritation or compression of one or more nerve roots in the lower back that contribute to the sciatic nerve.

Symptoms can vary considerably from person to person. Alongside leg pain, some people may experience tingling, numbness or weakness.

Sciatica is not a diagnosis in itself, and not all pain travelling into the leg is necessarily sciatica. There can be different reasons for pain in the lower back, buttock and leg, which is why an appropriate assessment is important.

At Castle Eden Chiropractic, we take the time to understand your individual symptoms, lifestyle and goals before developing a personalised approach to your care.

What can cause sciatic symptoms?

Sciatic symptoms can occur when one or more of the nerve roots in the lower back become irritated or compressed.

One common cause is a disc-related problem in the lower back. Other changes affecting the structures around the spine can also contribute to nerve irritation.

However, the presence of changes on a scan does not necessarily mean that they are responsible for your symptoms. Some people have changes within their spine without experiencing any pain.

Sciatic symptoms can also develop without an obvious trigger. Factors that may contribute to your symptoms can include:

  • Changes in activity or exercise levels

  • Lifting or repetitive movements

  • Previous back injuries

  • Changes in training load

  • Prolonged sitting

  • Reduced tolerance to certain activities

  • Changes within the structures of the lower back

  • Understanding the individual factors involved in your symptoms is more useful than assuming there is one specific cause.

What does sciatica feel like?

  • Sciatic symptoms can feel different from person to person. You might experience:

  • Pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg

  • Sharp, shooting or burning pain

  • Tingling or pins and needles

  • Numbness

  • Leg pain that is more noticeable than your back pain

  • Symptoms that change with certain positions or movements

  • Weakness in the leg or foot

  • Sciatic symptoms most commonly affect one side of the body, although symptoms can vary

It is important to remember that not all leg pain is sciatica. Pain in the buttock or leg can have several possible causes, so an assessment can help determine whether your symptoms are consistent with nerve-related pain or another presentation.

How can chiropractic care help?

  • Your first appointment will begin with a detailed discussion about your symptoms, health history and what you would like to get back to doing.

  • We will then assess your movement and, where appropriate, your neurological function. This may include assessing strength, sensation and reflexes to look for signs of nerve involvement.

  • This assessment helps us understand your presentation and decide whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

  • Depending on your individual needs, your care may include:

  • Hands-on treatment

  • Manual techniques may be used to help manage pain and improve movement where appropriate.

  • Exercise and rehabilitation

  • Specific exercises may be recommended to help you maintain movement, build strength and gradually return to your usual activities.

  • Advice and education

  • Understanding your symptoms and knowing how to manage them can be an important part of recovery.

  • A personalised approach

There is no single treatment that is right for everyone. Your care will be tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle and goals.

For people with sciatica, management may include exercise, advice and education and, where appropriate, manual therapy as part of a wider treatment approach.

Should I keep active with sciatica?

In many cases, staying active and continuing with normal activities as much as possible can be helpful.

You may need to temporarily modify activities that significantly aggravate your symptoms, but prolonged bed rest is generally not recommended.

As your symptoms improve, gradually increasing your activity can help you rebuild confidence and physical capacity.

Whether you’re returning to running, the gym, sport or simply trying to manage your usual day-to-day activities, we can help you work out how to adapt your activity while you recover.

When should I seek urgent medical attention?

Most people with sciatic symptoms do not require emergency treatment. However, certain symptoms can indicate significant nerve involvement and require urgent assessment.

  • Seek urgent medical attention if you develop:

  • New difficulty controlling your bladder or bowel

  • Difficulty passing urine

  • Numbness around the genitals, buttocks or inner thighs

  • Significant or worsening weakness in one or both legs

  • Symptoms affecting both legs

  • Severe symptoms following a significant injury

  • Other symptoms that make you feel seriously unwell

These symptoms can indicate a serious problem affecting the nerves in the lower back and require urgent medical assessment.

If you’re concerned about your symptoms, it’s always appropriate to seek advice from your GP or another healthcare professional.

  • Sciatica typically involves pain travelling from the lower back or buttock into the leg and may be accompanied by symptoms such as tingling, numbness or weakness.

  • Chiropractic care may form part of a management plan for some people experiencing sciatic symptoms. Depending on your presentation, this may include exercise, advice and education and, where appropriate, manual therapy.

    Your first appointment will help determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate for you.

  • This depends on your symptoms and individual circumstances.

    A chiropractor can assess your presentation and determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate. If your symptoms require medical assessment or another type of care, you can be directed to the appropriate healthcare professional.

    If you develop significant or worsening weakness, changes to bladder or bowel function, or numbness around the genitals or inner thighs, seek urgent medical attention.

  • Often, yes. Remaining active and gradually returning to normal activities can be helpful.

    You may need to temporarily modify certain exercises or activities depending on your symptoms. Gradually increasing your activity as your symptoms allow can help you rebuild your confidence and capacity.

  • Recovery varies considerably between individuals. Many episodes improve over time, although symptoms can sometimes persist or recur.

    How quickly symptoms improve can depend on factors such as the severity of your symptoms, the extent of any nerve involvement and your individual circumstances.

  • Not necessarily. Imaging is not routinely required for everyone experiencing sciatic symptoms.

    Whether imaging is appropriate depends on your symptoms, examination findings and whether the results would change your management. If imaging is indicated, we can advise you on the most appropriate next step.