Sciatica Pain Markham

The chiropractic approach to sciatica treatment is similar to other chiropractic treatments, in that chiropractors place great emphasis on diagnosis and identifying the possible underlying cause of an individual’s sciatica. The chiropractor will then recommend specific care that includes spinal manipulation (adjustments), any necessary physiotherapy and/or rehabilitation exercises.

If you are suffering from sciatica pain, chiropractic care is a very effective way to help relieve your pain. Sciatica can be caused by age-related wear and tear in the spine or a herniated disc that pinches the nerve root of the sciatic nerve. This sciatic nerve runs through the buttocks and down the legs on both sides of the body.

Herniated discs are one of the most common causes of sciatica symptoms. A chiropractor for Sciatica will be able to help resolve disc herniation-related pain by using an individualized approach.

Before treatment, one of our chiropractors will perform a chiropractic examination that may involve x-rays to rule out other possible causes of the patient’s sciatica. In addition to chiropractic care, our chiropractor may also recommend physiotherapy and/or rehabilitation exercises which chiropractors are extremely proficient at.

Our chiropractors utilize comprehensive chiropractic care to accurately diagnose your condition and provide you with treatment options that will help resolve your pain quickly and effectively.

If you are suffering from sciatica, we are here to help. Book an appointment online now or call us to speak with someone about how we can help you.

How Sciatica Feels — and Why It Travels

Sciatica is not really a diagnosis on its own. It describes what happens when the sciatic nerve is irritated or compressed somewhere along its path, and because that nerve runs from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg, the problem is often felt a long way from where it starts. Symptoms differ from person to person, but the ones we hear most often are a burning or electric pain running from the buttock into the thigh or calf, numbness or pins and needles in the leg or foot, weakness that makes the leg feel unreliable on stairs, and discomfort that builds after long stretches of sitting, driving, or standing still. It usually affects one side, though not always.

What Tends to Cause It

Pinning down the source matters, because care that suits a disc-related problem is not the same as care that suits a muscular one.

• Disc herniation or bulge. When the softer inner portion of a disc presses on a nerve root, leg symptoms often follow — more on our disc injury page.
• Degenerative change and spinal stenosis. Age-related narrowing of the spaces in the lower spine can crowd the nerve.
• Deep gluteal and piriformis tension. Tight buttock muscles can irritate the nerve where it passes beneath them, mimicking a disc problem.
• Pregnancy-related changes. Shifting posture and load in later pregnancy can bring on sciatic symptoms; see prenatal chiropractic care.
• Prolonged sitting and postural load. Desk work and long commutes hold the lower back and hips in one position for hours.

What to Expect at Your First Visit

1. History. When the pain started, where it travels, what makes it better or worse, and how it affects your sleep, work, and activity.
2. Physical and neurological assessment. Movement and orthopaedic testing, plus checks of reflexes, sensation, and muscle strength.
3. Imaging only when warranted. X-rays or a referral for further imaging follow the findings — they are not a routine step.
4. A plan in plain language. What was found, what care may help, and what you can do between visits.

Care commonly combines spinal adjustments, soft-tissue work, and rehabilitation exercises, adjusted as your symptoms change. If your presentation points to something outside a musculoskeletal scope, you will be told directly and referred to your physician. You are welcome to contact the clinic with questions about fees or direct billing before you book.

Sciatica FAQs