Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from across the Diamond Valley, including Eltham, Greensborough, Montmorency, Rosanna and Heidelberg. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Sciatica pain: a guide from the Bodyline Health team at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty.
What is sciatica pain?
Sciatica is not a diagnosis on its own – it describes where the pain goes. The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, running from the lower back through the buttock and down the back of the leg.
When one of the nerve roots that form it is irritated, often by a disc injury, joint swelling or tight structures around the nerve, pain can travel down the leg. For a full overview see our sciatica page.
Common sciatica pain symptoms
- Pain in the buttock that runs down the back or side of one leg
- Leg pain that is often worse than the back pain
- Pins and needles, tingling or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that is sharper when you sit, cough, sneeze or bend
- A heavy or weak feeling in the leg
Sciatica usually affects one side. Pain in both legs needs prompt assessment.
Simple ways to ease sciatica pain at home
Stay gently active
Bed rest tends to slow recovery. Short, regular walks within comfort are usually better than long periods sitting or lying still.
Find your easing position
Many people find lying on their back with the knees bent over pillows, or lying on the non-painful side with a pillow between the knees, takes pressure off the nerve.
Break up sitting
Sitting often aggravates sciatica. Stand up every 20–30 minutes and walk for a minute or two.
Heat and gentle movement
A heat pack on the lower back and buttock, followed by gentle knee-to-chest or pelvic tilt movements, can ease muscle guarding.
Talk to your pharmacist or GP
Ask about pain relief that suits you, especially if pain is affecting your sleep.
How sciatica pain is treated at Bodyline Health
Your first visit starts with a thorough history and examination, including checks of nerve function such as reflexes, strength and sensation, to work out where the problem is coming from.
If X-ray is clinically indicated, it is available onsite. Treatment may include gentle spinal mobilisation or adjustment, soft tissue work, positions and exercises that settle the leg pain, and a plan to build your back strength once the nerve calms down.
Many people with sciatica pain improve over six to twelve weeks. If progress is slow, we will talk to you about further imaging or a referral to your GP.
Preventing sciatica pain from coming back
- Keep up regular walking and core strength exercises
- Lift close to your body and avoid twisting with a load
- Change position often at your desk or in the car
- Build back into sport and heavy work gradually
Who at Bodyline Health can help with sciatica pain?
Because our practitioners work under one roof, your care can be shared between people who talk to each other.
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor): assessment, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated, spinal care and a recovery plan.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): graded exercise and rehabilitation for the back and leg.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): soft tissue work and dry needling for the buttock and back muscles.
- Jack Robertson (Remedial Massage Therapist): remedial massage to ease muscle tension while the nerve settles.
When to seek urgent medical help
Get urgent medical help if you have numbness around the groin or buttocks, new trouble controlling your bladder or bowel, weakness that is getting worse in one or both legs, or sciatica in both legs at once. In an emergency, call 000.
Further reading: Sciatica (Healthdirect Australia).
Common questions
How long does sciatica pain last?
Many episodes improve within six to twelve weeks. Some take longer, particularly if the nerve was irritated for a long time before getting help.
Should I rest with sciatica?
Short rest when pain is severe is fine, but staying gently active usually leads to a faster recovery than bed rest.
Do I need a referral for sciatica treatment?
No referral is needed for a standard appointment at Bodyline Health. HICAPS is available on the spot.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis or a substitute for individual medical advice. If you are unsure, see your GP or book an assessment.
