Sciatica is a common condition that affects many people, often causing significant discomfort and impairing daily activities. It results from irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips and down the back of each leg.

At Highlands Wellness & Sports Injury Clinic, we offer physiotherapy, chiropractic care, and massage therapy to help alleviate pain from sciatica and help our patients return to a happier, pain-free life.

Common Types of Sciatica

Acute Sciatica

Typically results from a sudden injury, such as a fall, lifting something heavy we weren’t prepared for, or a direct impact to the lower back or pelvis. Acute sciatica can also be triggered at the onset of a lumbar disc herniation or bulge.

Symptoms: Sudden onset of sharp, shooting pain that radiates from the lower back or buttock down the leg. The pain may be accompanied by muscle weakness, numbness, or tingling in the affected leg.

Chronic Sciatica

Cause: Develops over time due to ongoing spinal issues, such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or repetitive stress on the lower back.

Symptoms: Persistent, deep ache or burning sensation along the sciatic nerve pathway, often exacerbated by prolonged sitting or standing. It may be accompanied by periodic flare-ups of more intense pain.

Other Serious Causes

Sciatica can also be the result of rare but critical conditions such as spinal tumors, aneurysms, or infections that require immediate medical attention. We always screen for medically-worrisome causes of sciatica before beginning any treatment.

Effective Management:

Effective management of sciatica starts with a thorough assessment by experienced healthcare professionals. At Highlands Wellness and Sports Injury Clinic, our approach is all about our patients:

• We take time to listen: we want to know how sciatica affects the person in front of us. We want to learn how sciatica interferes with work, family, and sport. We also want to learn our patient’s history, the tools they find helpful, and how we can best serve them.

• A proper exam: We’ll ensure we evaluate your spine, hips, and legs for range of motion, strength, and any areas of tenderness or abnormal movement. We want to find out what is causing the symptoms and how your body is reacting to the sciatic nerve issue.

• We can get additional help when needed: we can take a team-approach and can refer for tools like X-rays, MRI, or CT scans to identify potential causes such as herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or structural abnormalities.

This comprehensive evaluation helps us accurately diagnose the type and cause of your sciatica symptoms, allowing us to create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Our goal is to relieve your pain, address underlying issues, and improve your overall quality of life.