FAQs – Sciatica
Sciatica is one of the most distressing pain conditions we treat at Dynamic Chiropractic. The good news is that the vast majority of sciatica cases respond well to conservative care – and many of our patients avoid surgery entirely. Here are the questions we hear most.
Q: What is sciatica?
Sciatica is pain along the sciatic nerve – lower back to buttock to leg, sometimes all the way to the foot. Most often it’s caused by a herniated lumbar disc pressing on a nerve root, a bone spur doing the same, or a tight piriformis muscle catching the nerve as it passes through.
Q: What does sciatica feel like?
Usually a sharp, burning, or shooting pain down one leg – sometimes just to the thigh, sometimes to the foot. Numbness or tingling is common. The leg can feel weak. Sitting for any length of time makes most sciatica significantly worse, which is rough if you work at a desk.
Q: Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes. We adjust the lumbar spine to take pressure off the irritated nerve root, and release the muscles – particularly the piriformis – that are often contributing to the problem. We’ll also advise you on posture and sleeping positions, because certain positions make sciatica significantly worse and most people don’t know which ones.
Q: How many chiropractic sessions does it take to fix sciatica?
Mild-to-moderate sciatica usually shows clear progress within 4–8 sessions. Severe disc-related cases take longer. Most patients feel some relief in the first 2–3 appointments – enough to know it’s working. We reassess as we go and won’t keep you coming in if you’re plateauing.
Q: Is chiropractic safe for sciatica?
Yes. We assess you first – we need to know what’s actually causing your sciatica before treating it, because the approach differs depending on the cause. If something flags that you need imaging or a GP review before we start, we’ll tell you.
Q: What’s the difference between sciatica and referred lower back pain?
True sciatica involves the nerve root and produces neurological symptoms – numbness, tingling, burning, weakness – that go below the knee. Referred pain from the SI joint or lumbar muscles can feel similar but usually stays above the knee and doesn’t have those nerve sensations. The distinction matters because they’re treated quite differently.
Q: Will I need surgery for sciatica?
Most people don’t. Around 80–90% of sciatica cases resolve with conservative care – chiropractic, physio, exercise. Surgery is generally only on the table when neurological symptoms are actually worsening (muscle weakness, not just pain), or when conservative treatment genuinely hasn’t worked over a significant period. It’s not a decision made quickly.
Q: What can make sciatica worse?
Sitting for long periods is usually the big one. Bending forward, sneezing, coughing – anything that increases pressure in the lower spine can spike the pain. Sleeping on the affected side also loads the nerve. We’ll show you the positions to avoid while things are irritated.
Q: Can sciatica go away on its own?
Mild sciatica can settle on its own. But without sorting out what caused it – a disc problem, a muscle catching the nerve, lumbar instability – it tends to come back. Getting it assessed and treated properly the first time is almost always worth it.
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If you have any questions don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.
