Sciatica is pain, tingling or numbness that travels from the lower back through the hip, thigh and into the leg. It can range from a persistent background irritation to a shooting pain that makes sitting, standing and sleeping difficult. Understanding what’s behind it matters more than simply managing he symptom.
CONDITIONS WE TREAT
Sciatica
What’s happening
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It originates in the lower lumbar spine, passes through the pelvis, and travels down the back of the leg to the foot. It can become irritated or compressed, most commonly from a disc herniation, spinal narrowing, or sustained tightening in the piriformis muscle. The result is the characteristic radiating sensation that people describe as sciatica.
The lower back and pelvis are also areas where significant amounts of stress and protective tension accumulate over time. Prolonged sitting, postural habits, old injuries, and the muscular guarding that develops around a sensitised nervous system can all contribute to pressure on the sciatic nerve or its roots. This is why sciatica often worsens during stressful periods, and why it can be stubborn to resolve through approaches focused only on the painful area.
How we approach this
We take a thorough history before any hands-on work, including previous imaging, how the symptoms behave and what positions or activities aggravate or help. Our physical testing will look to identify which tissues are under stress, as well as a full assessment of your nervous system to get a global picture.
Network Spinal addresses the lumbar spine and pelvis gently, without the twisting or rotational movements that can aggravate an irritated nerve. We aim to take the pressure off the nerve, release muscle spasm and reduce the layers of tension. Improving movement and function in the area is important so your body is able to heal itself and future problems are minimised.
What people notice
People with sciatica often notice that the radiating symptoms begin to reduce before the local back pain does. The leg sensation eases, sitting becomes more tolerable and sleep improves. With irritated nerves improvement tends to be gradual rather than immediate, and consistency of care matters in the early stages.
If you are experiencing significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel function, or severe and worsening symptoms, please seek urgent medical assessment.
Let’s understand what’s behind it
No referral needed. Your first visit is a conversation and assessment before anything else.
First visits are available and lunchtimes and some evenings.