Back Health at Home

Sciatica: What you need to know and tips for relief

ParallelAdmin2025-06-10T19:33:05+00:00June 10th, 2025|Back Health at Home, General, Health, Healthy Living, Overall Back Health, Wellness|

Have you ever had pain radiate from your low back, through your hips, and down one leg? If so, you may have experienced sciatica. What exactly is sciatica, and what can you do to treat the pain? In this blog post, we will explore what you need to know plus offer some tips for relief.

What is sciatica?

The sciatic nerve runs down the length of each leg, starting in your low back and ending at the heels of your feet. Sciatica is a term used to describe the pain caused by irritation of that nerve. Health professionals have a variety of names for it, including lumbosacral radicular syndrome, discogenic sciatica, nerve root pain, and nerve root entrapment,¹but sciatica is the most common term.

Sciatica is different from low back pain in that it results from the sciatic nerve, rather than the spine. This nerve serves an important function, affecting the hamstrings, calf muscles, lower leg muscles, and some foot muscles.² In many cases, the pain gets worse with twisting, bending, sneezing or coughing.²

What causes sciatic pain?

Researchers estimate that 90 per cent of cases are caused by a herniated disc where the nerve root is compressed – something that may occur as a result of an injury, or age-related wear and tear.⁵ Other possible causes include lumbar stenosis¹, or piriformis syndrome.

What are the symptoms of sciatica?

Patients most often complain about pain radiating down the back of their leg, reducing their mobility.¹²

Who is most at risk for sciatica?

More research is needed to determine the exact incidence and prevalence of sciatica. It is estimated that five to 10 per cent of patients with low back pain have it,¹ and 10 to 40 per cent of people experience it in their lifetime.²

There are certain risk factors that increase the chance of developing sciatica. These include:^¹

Age
Height
Mental stress
Cigarette smoking

In addition, certain occupations are predisposed to sciatic nerve pain, including machine operators and truck drivers².

How is sciatica diagnosed?

When a patient complains of pain radiating down their leg, a chiropractor will typically conduct a full history and physical examination to determine whether the sciatic nerve is to blame.¹ Chiropractors often work as part of a patient’s health care team. If there are red flags present – such as if Cauda Equina syndrome is suspected – the chiropractor will recommend advanced imaging to determine if surgery should be considered¹.

How is sciatica treated?

There are a variety of treatments that chiropractors can offer, including recommendations on lifestyle changes. These include, but are not limited to:

Physical activity
Acupuncture
Spinal manipulation

What can you do at home?

Talk to your chiropractor to ensure you are doing everything you can to improve your condition at home. He or she may recommend one or more of the following:²

Use hot and cold packs for comfort
Avoid sitting or standing for long periods
Practice good posture
Improve your core strength through exercise
Gently stretch out your lower back and hamstrings
Take a walk regularly, go swimming, or try aqua fitness
Use the proper technique when lifting heavy objects

How can you prevent sciatica?

You can reduce the chances of developing sciatica by exercising regularly and paying attention to your posture.³ Try the following exercises if you’re looking for inspiration, but the most important thing is to find an activity you enjoy:⁴

Walking
Jogging
Swimming
Cycling
Dancing
Strength training
Yoga
Tai Chi
Pilates

Chiropractors are spine, muscle, and nervous system experts who provide effective treatment to promote health, alleviate pain, and improve your quality of life. If you’re struggling with sciatica and want relief, visit a chiropractor today And remember – you can always ask questions and take an active role in your recovery.

1. Koes, B W et al. “Diagnosis and treatment of sciatica.” BMJ (Clinical research ed.) vol. 334,7607 (2007): 1313-7. doi:10.1136/bmj.39223.428495.BE
2. Davis D, Vasudevan A. Sciatica. [Updated 2019 Feb 28]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2019 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK507908/
3. Gillot, Caroline. “Sciatica: Causes, Treatment, Exercises, and Symptoms.” Medical News Today, MediLexicon International, 15 Dec. 2017, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/7619.php.
4. Harvard Health Publishing. “5 Tips for Coping with Sciatica.” Harvard Health, www.health.harvard.edu/pain/sciatica-prevention-and-coping.
5. “Herniated Disc.” AANS, https://www.aans.org/en/Patients/Neurosurgical-Conditions-and-Treatments/Herniated-Disc.

How Soon After Surgery Can You Have Chiropractic Treatment?

Surgical operations are a standard part of modern medicine. By many estimates, the average person will have about nine surgical procedures during their lifetime, including outpatient and in-office procedures. These surgeries may be quite minor and routine, such as a mole removal – or extremely serious, as with organ transplants.

Proper postoperative care is a critical component of recovery after a surgery. Your surgeon will often place restrictions on your activity for a period of time after your procedure, and you should always adhere to their advice. However, most surgeons do not explicitly mention chiropractic treatment in their aftercare instructions. So how long do you need to wait after surgery before having chiropractic care? Unfortunately, there is no single universal answer.

Type and Scope of Surgery

A large portion of the answer to the above question will depend on the type and scope of your surgery. This may seem obvious to some degree. For example, if you’re recovering from ankle surgery but desire chiropractic treatments for tennis elbow, this is unlikely to be a problem. Or, if you’ve had a wound on your finger recently stitched closed, spinal adjustments should not interfere with that healing process.

However, scenarios may arise where you’re unsure whether you’ve healed sufficiently for a chiropractic adjustment. This may be the case for abdominal surgeries, such as a gallbladder removal. In these cases, you should always consult your surgeon prior to undergoing any medical treatment, including chiropractic. Your surgeon is responsible for your aftercare following surgery, and you need to contact their office for any questions or concerns.

Keep Your Providers Up to Date

Whether you’ve undergone a tooth extraction or surgery to help repair a broken bone, you should make certain that all of your healthcare providers are updated on your medical history. This includes your chiropractor. As a health care provider, your chiropractor needs to know your current medical status and all procedures you’ve undergone, no matter how seemingly minor. Keeping your chiropractor up to date will allow them to make the best decisions for your health and safety.

Simply Ask

Before any surgery, your surgeon will explain the procedure and give you an opportunity to ask questions. If you’re planning on seeking chiropractic treatment during your recovery, let your surgeon know and ask about appropriate timeframes. Your surgeon will be able to clear you for chiropractic treatment when you’re ready.

Also, make sure your surgeon and chiropractor have each other’s contact information in case a question arises. This way, they’ll be able to coordinate your care and keep each other informed of your progress.

Although they are different disciplines, chiropractic and surgical care aren’t at odds with each other. By keeping your healthcare providers up to date on your medical history and asking questions, you can help ensure that your treatment team is working in conjunction to ensure your health and wellness.