What Is Sciatica?

Sciatica describes symptoms caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve or the nerve roots that contribute to it.

The sciatic nerve travels from your lower back and down your leg.

When the nerve or its roots become irritated, symptoms can include:

• Low back pain

• Buttock pain

• Pain travelling down one leg

• Tingling or pins and needles

• Numbness

• Burning or electric-like pain

• Weakness in some cases

Here’s the important part:

Sciatica isn’t really a diagnosis by itself.

It’s a description of symptoms.

The bigger question is:

What’s irritating the nerve?

What Causes Sciatica?

There isn’t one single cause.

That’s why simply stretching your hamstring for the 400th time may not be solving anything.

Some common causes or contributors include:

Disc Herniation or “Slipped Disc”

One of the better-known causes of sciatica is a lumbar disc herniation.

You may also hear people call this a slipped disc, although the disc doesn’t actually slip out of place.

A spinal disc can become irritated, bulge, or herniate and affect a nearby nerve root.

That irritation can create symptoms that travel from the lower back into the leg.

If you’ve been diagnosed with a disc problem, read our guide on disc herniations, slipped discs, back pain and sciatica for a deeper explanation.

Changes Around the Lower Back

Joints and other structures around the lumbar spine can also contribute to pain and nerve irritation.

This is one reason we don’t want to assume that every person with leg pain has exactly the same problem.

Spinal Stenosis

Spinal stenosis means there is less space available around parts of the spinal canal or nerves.

It becomes more common with age and can contribute to leg pain, numbness, tingling, or heaviness, particularly with certain activities.

Other Causes of Leg Pain

Here’s where things get interesting.

Pain going down your leg doesn’t automatically mean sciatica.

Hip problems, muscle injuries, peripheral nerve problems, and other conditions can create symptoms that look similar.

That’s why the assessment comes before the treatment.

Can a Chiropractor Help With Sciatica?

For some people with sciatica, conservative treatment that includes chiropractic care can be one part of their management plan.

But our goal isn’t simply to hear “sciatica” and start adjusting something.

We first want to understand:

• Where your symptoms travel

• Which movements make them better or worse

• Whether you have numbness, tingling, or weakness

• How your lower back and hips are moving

• Whether signs point toward nerve-root involvement

• Whether further medical assessment or imaging may be appropriate

Once we understand what may be driving the symptoms, we can determine whether chiropractic care is appropriate and build treatment around your specific presentation.

How We Approach Sciatica at Soulstice Wellness Centre

Treatment isn’t identical for every patient.

Depending on your assessment, your care may involve several approaches.

Chiropractic Care

Chiropractic treatment may be used to improve movement and address mechanical contributors around the lower back and pelvis.

Treatment is selected based on what we find during your assessment rather than using the exact same adjustment for everyone with back pain.

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture

Contemporary Medical Acupuncture may be incorporated to target muscles and the nervous system involved in your symptoms.

This can be particularly useful when muscle guarding and pain are making normal movement difficult.

Summus P4 Laser Therapy

Our Summus P4 Class IV laser may also be incorporated into a treatment plan when appropriate.

Laser therapy uses light energy and is used as an adjunctive treatment for certain painful musculoskeletal conditions.

Movement and Rehabilitation

This is a big one.

We don’t want you to become afraid of your back.

As symptoms allow, movement and progressive strengthening can help rebuild your capacity and confidence.

The goal isn’t to create a list of 37 exercises you’ll do enthusiastically for three days before completely forgetting about them.

It’s to find the right movements for you and progressively build from there.

Should You Rest When You Have Sciatica?

When every step hurts, lying on the couch indefinitely can sound like an excellent treatment plan.

Unfortunately, prolonged bed rest generally isn’t the goal for uncomplicated low back pain and sciatica.

Appropriate movement is often an important part of recovery.

That doesn’t mean:

“Ignore the pain and crush a workout.”

It means finding movements and activities that are appropriate for your symptoms and gradually increasing what your body can tolerate.

When Should Sciatica Be Assessed?

Consider having your symptoms assessed if:

• Pain is travelling down your leg

• You have persistent numbness or tingling

• Your symptoms aren’t improving

• Sciatica keeps returning

• Sitting, bending, walking, or sleeping is becoming difficult

• You’re changing your normal activities because you’re afraid of triggering the pain

There are also situations where sciatica-like symptoms require urgent medical assessment, particularly new bowel or bladder problems, numbness around the groin/saddle region, significant or worsening weakness, or other rapidly progressing neurological symptoms.

Those aren’t symptoms to wait out or simply book a routine chiropractic visit for.

Sciatica Doesn’t Mean Your Back Is Broken

This may be one of the most important things to understand.

Having sciatica doesn’t automatically mean you’re destined for years of back problems.

And seeing the words “disc bulge” or “disc herniation” on an imaging report doesn’t mean you need to stop moving.

The diagnosis matters.

But so does how you function.

Our job is to figure out what your symptoms mean for you, identify what you can safely work on, and help you build your way back toward the activities that matter to you.

Looking for a Chiropractor for Sciatica in Cochrane?

If you’ve spent the last few weeks Googling your symptoms and trying to decide whether the pain is coming from your back, hip, disc, piriformis, sciatic nerve, mattress, office chair, or the fact that you turned 40…

It’s probably time for an actual assessment. 😅

At Soulstice Wellness Centre in Cochrane, we’ll assess your lower back, movement, neurological function, and symptoms to determine what may be contributing to your pain and whether chiropractic care is appropriate.

Are you ready to stop working around your sciatica and start understanding it?

📞 Call 403-932-1991 or book online with Soulstice Wellness Centre.

Let’s figure out what’s irritating your nerve and build a plan to get you moving confidently again.

Sciatica FAQs

Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?

Chiropractic care may be appropriate for some people experiencing sciatica, depending on what is causing the nerve irritation. A proper assessment should come first to determine the likely source of the symptoms and whether chiropractic treatment is appropriate.

Is sciatica caused by a slipped disc?

A disc herniation, sometimes called a “slipped disc,” is one possible cause of sciatica, but it isn’t the only one. Other conditions can also irritate spinal nerve roots or create similar leg symptoms.

How do I know if my leg pain is sciatica?

Sciatica commonly causes pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into one leg and may include tingling, numbness, or burning sensations. Because several conditions can cause similar symptoms, an assessment can help identify what’s actually happening.

Should I walk if I have sciatica?

Many people with uncomplicated sciatica can benefit from remaining appropriately active rather than prolonged bed rest. The right amount and type of activity depends on your symptoms, so worsening pain or neurological symptoms should be assessed.

How long does sciatica last?

Recovery varies depending on the cause, severity, overall health, and other factors. Some episodes improve over several weeks, while others persist longer and may require further assessment or treatment.

When is sciatica an emergency?

Seek urgent medical care for symptoms such as new loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness around the groin or saddle area, or significant or rapidly worsening leg weakness.