If you’ve ever felt a sharp, shooting pain radiating from your lower back down your leg, you may have experienced Sciatica. This condition can be highly disruptive, affecting your ability to sit, walk, sleep, and go about your daily routine.

At Prime Health Co., we understand how frustrating Sciatica can be. More importantly, we know how to help. In this blog, we’ll break down what Sciatica is, why it happens, and how our team provides personalised, lasting relief without relying solely on medications or invasive procedures.

Sciatica isn’t a disease, it’s a name for the pain caused when something irritates or puts pressure on your sciatic nerve. This nerve is the longest in your body. It starts in your lower back, runs through your hips and buttocks, and travels down each leg. When it gets compressed or inflamed, it can cause sharp, burning, or shooting pain that radiates from your lower back down to your foot, usually on just one side of the body.

Common symptoms of Sciatica:

• Lower back pain
• Pain radiating through the buttock and leg (usually on one side)
• Numbness or tingling
• Muscle weakness
• Difficulty standing or walking

Symptoms may come and go or persist for weeks if left untreated. Sciatica often worsens with sitting, coughing, or sudden movements.

Sciatica usually happens when something presses on or irritates the sciatic nerve. This pressure can come from several common issues, such as:

• A herniated or bulging disc in the spine
• Degenerative disc disease can lead to decreased space between the vertebrae above and below
• Spinal stenosis is a condition where there is decreased space within the central spinal canal
• Piriformis syndrome, where a tight muscle in your glutes compresses the sciatic nerve
• Injuries from falls, accidents, or overuse
• Posture changes during pregnancy, which can shift pressure onto the nerve

Finding the exact cause of sciatica is important because the proper treatment starts with the correct diagnosis.

Many people turn to painkillers or rest, which might offer temporary relief. But these methods often fail to address the underlying problem.

At Prime Health Co., we believe in a holistic, integrated approach. We combine chiropractic care, dry needling and soft tissue therapy to deliver lasting relief and support your full recovery.

Many people turn to painkillers or rest, which might offer temporary relief. But these methods often fail to address the underlying problem.

At Prime Health Co., we believe in a holistic, integrated approach. We combine chiropractic care, dry needling and soft tissue therapy to deliver lasting relief and support your full recovery.

We take a patient-focused approach. We don’t just mask symptoms—we treat the source. Here’s how we help:

Manual therapy for Sciatica

• Alleviate pain and inflammation
• Correct poor posture and movement patterns
• Strengthen key stabilising muscles

Chiropractic Approach

• Restore movement of the joints in the spine
• Improve biomechanics and decrease pressure on the affected nerve

When combined with manual therapy and stretching, chiropractic care can help speed up recovery and reduce the chances of the pain coming back.

Dry Needling

Dry needling is a powerful technique for relieving sciatica caused by tight or overworked muscles. It works by:

• Targeting areas of muscle tension and tightness
• Releasing painful trigger points that may be responsible for muscle spasm
• Improving blood flow to support healing and reduce inflammation

This treatment is especially effective when your sciatica is linked to muscle imbalances, poor posture, or chronic tension in the lower back and hips.

Movement & Self-Management Strategies

We empower you with tools to stay pain-free, including:

• Stretching and strengthening routines
• Ergonomic coaching for work and home
• Mobility drills
• Education on movement habits to avoid

These plans are tailored to your lifestyle, ensuring they’re practical and easy to maintain.

While professional treatment is key to long-term relief, there are also simple things you can do at home to support your recovery between clinic visits:

Daily Sciatica Stretches

Gentle movements like piriformis stretches, hip mobilisations and cat/camel exercises may be beneficial. Not all stretches are safe or advised as they can aggravate the sciatic nerve. Our practitioners can guide you on what stretches to include and which ones to avoid.

Use a Lumbar Roll

When sitting (especially driving), use a lumbar roll to maintain proper lordosis (forward curve) of the low back and reduce nerve compression.

Alternate Ice and Heat

In the early stages, use ice help with controlling pain. Later, apply heat to relax tight muscles and improve circulation. Heat and/or ice is often a personal preference as to which you prefer using.

Use Proper Posture When Sleeping

If you sleep on your side, try sleeping with a pillow between your knees to prevent too excessive rotation of your lower back.

Preventing Sciatica from returning is just as important as relieving it. Here’s how:

• Strengthen your core and hips to support your spine
• Avoid prolonged sitting; use a sit/stand desk allows you to alternate between sitting and standing which has been shown to be the best strategy for managing sciatica or low back pain from sitting
• Use correct lifting technique using your legs, not your back
• Regular movement breaks, especially if you work at a desk
• Stay flexible with regular stretching or mobility sessions

At Prime Health Co, your journey to sciatica relief starts with a thorough, personalised assessment. During your first visit, we take the time to examine all the things briefly:

We take a detailed health and injury history

• Perform physical tests to confirm involvement of the sciatic nerve
• Discuss your lifestyle, work, and movement habits
• Create a personalised care plan tailored to your goals

From day one, our goal is to get you moving safely and comfortably again, with clear guidance every step of the way.

It’s time to see a professional if you notice any of the following:

• Pain lasting more than a few days
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness in your leg
• Difficulty standing, walking, or sleeping due to pain
• Your symptoms are getting worse, not better
• Pain interferes with work, daily tasks, or quality of life

Early care leads to faster healing and better outcomes.

We’re proud to serve the Redland Bay community with:

• ✅ Experienced chiropractors
• ✅ Personalised, one-on-one treatment plans
• ✅ Focus on both pain relief and prevention
• ✅ Friendly, professional care in a modern clinic
• ✅ Convenient location and easy online booking

Whether your Sciatica is new or chronic, we’re here to help you move better, feel better, and stay better.

You don’t have to let sciatica hold you back from doing the things you enjoy. With the proper care and expert support, lasting relief is possible.