Sciatica describes the pain that travels along the path of the sciatic nerve, from the lower back through the buttock and down one or both legs, sometimes reaching the foot. It can range from a dull ache to a sharp, burning or electric sensation that makes sitting, standing or moving genuinely difficult. At Langwarrin Family Chiropractic we see sciatica regularly, and our first priority is always identifying what’s actually causing it.

Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It can be driven by a disc, a restricted joint, tight deep gluteal muscles like the piriformis, or other structures irritating the sciatic nerve along its path. Not all presentations are the same and the right approach depends entirely on what the assessment reveals. We use testing alongside spinal examination to build a clear picture before recommending care.

What we commonly see:

• Shooting, burning or electric pain from the back into one or both legs

• Numbness or tingling in the leg, calf or foot

• Weakness in the leg associated with back or buttock pain

• Pain that worsens with prolonged sitting, driving or standing

• Piriformis syndrome and deep gluteal referral patterns

• Disc-related sciatic nerve irritation

• Sciatica that developed during pregnancy