SCIATICA
The sciatic nerve is the longest nerve in the body, running from the lower spine all the way down through the buttock and into the leg. When something irritates or compresses it — usually at the point where it exits the spine — you feel it the whole way along that path.
The classic description is a sharp, shooting pain from the lower back or buttock down the back of the leg, sometimes into the calf or foot. It can also show up as burning, tingling, or numbness rather than outright pain. Some people get all of it at once.
CAUSES
The most common cause is a disc bulge or herniation at L4/L5 or L5/S1 — the lowest levels of the lumbar spine — where pressure on the nerve root triggers the referred symptoms down the leg. Joint dysfunction at those same levels can also be a factor, as can piriformis syndrome, where the sciatic nerve gets compressed by the piriformis muscle in the buttock rather than at the spine itself.
It's worth getting properly assessed because the treatment differs depending on which mechanism is driving it.
Treatment
We start with a thorough examination to identify where the irritation is coming from. Neurological testing, orthopaedic assessment, and a detailed history all feed into that picture. From there, treatment focuses on taking the pressure off the nerve — reducing joint restriction in the lower lumbar spine and sacroiliac area, calming down the surrounding soft tissue, and gradually rehabilitating the area so it holds.
We also spend time on what you can do at home. Certain positions and movements aggravate sciatica, others help it — knowing the difference makes a real difference to recovery speed.
What to expect
Sciatica can feel alarming, especially the first time it happens. The leg symptoms in particular tend to worry people. Most cases respond well to conservative care — the research supports chiropractic as an effective treatment for disc-related sciatica, and in the majority of cases surgery isn't necessary.
Recovery timelines vary. Acute episodes often settle within a few weeks. If the problem has been there a long time or keeps recurring, it takes longer to stabilise. We'll be straight with you about what to expect at your first appointment.
If you have any loss of bladder or bowel control alongside your sciatica symptoms, go to A&E — that is a medical emergency and not something to manage conservatively.
Terenure clinic, serving Rathfarnham, Rathgar, Templeogue, Kimmage, and surrounding areas. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 9am–7pm, Saturday 9am–12pm.
