What Is Sciatica?

The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body — it originates in the lower lumbar spine and sacrum, passes through the buttock, and travels down the back of the leg to the foot. Sciatica refers to pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness that follows this nerve's path. It's not a diagnosis in itself — it's a description of where symptoms are felt.

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Sciatica typically affects one leg at a time. Symptoms can range from a dull ache in the buttock and back of the thigh to sharp, electric pain that shoots from the lower back down to the foot. Prolonged sitting, standing up quickly, sneezing, or certain positions often aggravate it.

 

 

Two Very Different Causes — Why Diagnosis Matters

Disc-Related Sciatica (Lumbar Disc Herniation)

The most common cause of true sciatica. A lumbar disc — most often at L4/L5 or L5/S1 — bulges or herniates and presses directly on the adjacent nerve root. This typically causes pain, numbness, or tingling that follows a specific dermatomal pattern down the leg, often below the knee to the foot. Coughing, sneezing, and flexion of the spine usually aggravate it. Chiropractic decompression techniques, specific traction-based mobilization, and targeted rehabilitation are effective for the majority of disc-related sciatica cases without surgery.

Piriformis Syndrome

The piriformis muscle sits deep in the buttock, and the sciatic nerve passes either through it or directly beneath it. When the piriformis becomes tight or irritated — from prolonged sitting, running, cycling, or pelvic imbalance — it can compress the sciatic nerve and produce symptoms almost identical to disc sciatica. The crucial difference: piriformis syndrome tends to be aggravated by hip rotation, prolonged sitting on hard surfaces, and specific provocative tests. Treatment is completely different from disc sciatica — deep soft tissue work, hip mobility exercises, and addressing any pelvic or hip dysfunction.

Why Getting This Right Matters

Treating disc sciatica with piriformis-focused therapy (or vice versa) produces poor results. We've seen many patients who've had weeks of ineffective treatment elsewhere because the source wasn't properly identified. A thorough assessment at the start — which takes about 30 minutes — saves months of frustration.

 

 

How We Treat Sciatica in Saanichton

For Disc-Related Sciatica

• Chiropractic spinal decompression and gentle mobilization to reduce disc pressure on the nerve root

• Specific directional exercises (often extension-based) to centralize symptoms and restore disc position

• Massage therapy to address secondary muscle guarding and reduce spinal compression

• Shockwave therapy for chronic presentations with secondary soft tissue involvement

• Progressive core stabilization and lumbar rehabilitation to protect the disc long-term

 

For Piriformis Syndrome

• Deep soft tissue work to the piriformis and surrounding hip external rotators

• Registered massage therapy — direct work on the piriformis via the posterior hip

• Hip mobility and flexibility restoration, including specific stretching protocols

• Assessment and correction of any contributing pelvic or SI joint dysfunction

• Athletic therapy for runners, cyclists, and athletes — technique modification to reduce piriformis loading

 

 

What to Expect — Sciatica Recovery Timeline

Recovery varies significantly based on the cause and duration of your symptoms:

• Acute disc sciatica (recent onset, first episode): often improves substantially in 6–10 visits over 3–5 weeks

• Chronic disc sciatica (months to years): typically 12–20 visits over 6–10 weeks, with ongoing home exercise

• Piriformis syndrome: often responds faster — 4–8 visits with consistent stretching and activity modification

• Sciatica with significant neurological involvement (weakness, bladder/bowel symptoms): requires prompt assessment and possible referral

 

We'll give you a realistic timeline at your first visit based on your specific presentation. If we don't see the expected progress, we reassess and adjust — or refer if conservative care isn't the right fit.

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions — Sciatica Treatment in Saanichton

Will sciatica go away on its own?

Sometimes — mild disc-related sciatica can self-resolve in 6–12 weeks in otherwise healthy patients. But untreated sciatica has a high recurrence rate, and some presentations (particularly those involving neurological symptoms like leg weakness) can progress if left alone. Early assessment and treatment reduces the risk of chronicity significantly. If you've had sciatica for more than 4 weeks without improvement, it's worth getting it properly assessed.

 

Is chiropractic safe for sciatica caused by a disc herniation?

Yes — for the vast majority of disc herniations. Chiropractic care for disc-related sciatica is well-supported by evidence and is generally considered a first-line conservative treatment. We screen carefully for the rare presentations where manipulation isn't appropriate (significant neurological deficit, cauda equina symptoms, or severe instability) and refer immediately when those are present.

 

I've had sciatica for over a year. Is it too late for chiropractic to help?

Not at all. Chronic sciatica is harder to treat than acute presentations, but it's not untreatable. Patients with long-standing sciatic nerve pain often have layers of muscle guarding, altered movement patterns, and sensation on top of the original structural issue — all of which respond to the right combination of manual therapy, soft tissue work, and rehabilitation. Our multi-disciplinary model is particularly well-suited to complex, chronic sciatic presentations.

 

Should I have an MRI before seeing a chiropractor?

Usually not necessary before starting treatment. Chiropractic assessment can identify the most likely source of your sciatica based on clinical findings, and most patients don't need imaging for effective initial treatment. We recommend MRI when the clinical picture doesn't fit a typical presentation, when neurological signs are significant, or when you're not responding to care as expected.

 

What makes sciatica worse?

For disc-related sciatica: prolonged sitting, forward bending, sneezing or coughing, and any position that loads the lumbar spine in flexion. For piriformis syndrome: prolonged sitting (especially on hard surfaces), crossing the legs, and hip internal rotation. Identifying which activities aggravate your specific type of sciatica helps guide treatment and self-management.

 

 

Book an Appointment — Sciatica Treatment in Saanichton

Accepting new patients from Saanichton, Central Saanich, Brentwood Bay, Sidney, Victoria, and surrounding areas.

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📞 250-223-0200

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Book online — 24 hours a day | Open 7 days, 8am–6pm.

Address: #203 - 6981 E Saanich Rd, Saanichton, BC V8M 1X7

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Also explore: Back pain treatment | Chiropractic care | Shockwave therapy | Massage therapy