Sciatica

Understanding Sciatica

Sciatica is not a condition in itself — it is a symptom of something irritating your sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back down through your hips and into your legs. The pain can range from a dull ache to a sharp, burning sensation that makes it hard to sit, stand, or walk. Some people also experience numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected leg. Sciatica during pregnancy is also very common, as the growing uterus can place pressure on the sciatic nerve. At Banora Chiropractic, we assess your lower back, pelvis, and hip to identify what is causing the nerve irritation — then work to address it at the source, not just manage the pain.

Common symptoms

• Pain that radiates from the lower back down one leg — sometimes all the way to the foot
• Sharp, shooting, or burning pain in the buttock or leg
• Numbness or tingling in the leg or foot
• Weakness in the affected leg
• Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or coughing
• Difficulty standing up, walking comfortably, or finding a pain-free position
• Sciatica pain during pregnancy — hip and leg pain that builds as the pregnancy progresses

How we may help

We conduct a thorough neurological and orthopaedic examination to understand what is irritating your sciatic nerve. Depending on the cause, care may include spinal adjustments to improve alignment and reduce nerve compression, specific sciatica stretches and exercises to reduce nerve tension and improve mobility, soft tissue work on the piriformis and surrounding hip muscles, and advice on positions and daily movements to help manage your symptoms. For sciatica during pregnancy, we use safe, comfortable techniques suited to each trimester. If we suspect something that requires imaging or specialist referral, we will tell you directly.