New patient offer · ends 31 December 2026
$99 first chiropractic consultation with Dr Phil (normally $134)
Save $35 on your initial consultation at Bodyline Health, 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty. Quote code CHIRO35. New patients only. No referral needed, HICAPS on the spot, free parking.
Sciatica? Get it checked at Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty
We see patients from Greensborough and across the Diamond Valley. No referral needed, free parking, onsite X-ray when clinically indicated and HICAPS claiming on the spot.
Written by Dr Phillip Mifsud, Chiropractor & Exercise Physiologist and founder of Bodyline Health, Lower Plenty. Based on Dr Phil’s own video and more than 25 years of clinical experience.
Watch the video
Lumbar Disc Injury
Disc injuries are one of the most common causes of sciatica. Dr Phil explains in under two minutes.
What does sciatica feel like?
Sciatica is a description of symptoms rather than a diagnosis. People usually describe some mix of:
- Pain in the buttock, the back of the thigh or below the knee, often worse than the back pain itself
- A burning, electric or shooting quality to the pain
- Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot
- Pain that is worse with sitting, coughing, sneezing or bending forward
- Symptoms on one side only
What causes sciatica?
An irritated disc
The discs between your vertebrae act as shock absorbers. When one is injured it can bulge and irritate a nearby nerve root. In Dr Phil’s experience, much of the pain comes from inflammation around the nerve, which is why calming that inflammation matters so much. Read more in Bulging or herniated disc: why gentle movement helps you recover.
Tight muscles in the buttock
The sciatic nerve runs close to the deep buttock muscles, including piriformis. When these muscles are tight or in spasm they can produce sciatica-like pain into the leg.
Lower back and pelvic joints
Stiff or irritated joints in the lower back and pelvis can refer pain into the buttock and thigh. A slightly twisted pelvis is a common pattern Dr Phil sees. See Mechanical lower back pain explained.
Narrowing around the nerve (stenosis)
In older adults, wear and tear can narrow the space the nerves pass through. This often causes leg pain or heaviness when walking that eases when you sit or bend forward.
What can I do at home for sciatica?
It can be frightening, but for most people staying gently active helps more than resting in bed. The rule Dr Phil gives every patient is to work to discomfort, not pain.
- Keep moving: short, frequent walks are usually better than one long one
- Break up sitting: get up every 30 to 45 minutes, as long periods of sitting often aggravate sciatica
- Ice the lower back: to help settle inflammation around the irritated nerve
- Gentle stretches: small, pain-free rotations and knee-to-chest movements
- Sleep: try a pillow between your knees if you sleep on your side, or under your knees if you sleep on your back
- Pain relief: ask your GP or pharmacist what is suitable for you
How is sciatica assessed and treated at Bodyline Health?
The first job is working out why the nerve is irritated, because the plan for a disc problem is different from the plan for a tight buttock muscle.
- A thorough history and examination, including nerve tests for reflexes, strength and sensation
- Onsite digital X-ray when clinically indicated. X-rays show bones and joints rather than discs, so if an MRI is needed we will explain why and help arrange a referral
- Hands-on care such as soft tissue work, gentle adjustments or mobilisation, and dry needling where appropriate
- A graded movement plan so you know exactly what to do between visits
Because several disciplines work under one roof, your care can be shared between practitioners who talk to each other:
- Dr Phillip Mifsud (Chiropractor and Exercise Physiologist): diagnosis, gentle treatment and a graded movement plan.
- Mary Fleming (Physiotherapist): progressive rehabilitation and strengthening once the pain settles.
- Keryn Arrowsmith (Myotherapist): easing tight buttock and lower back muscles.
- Jack Robertson (Remedial Massage Therapist): soft tissue work to reduce protective muscle spasm.
How long does sciatica take to settle?
It varies with the cause and how irritated the nerve is. Many people improve noticeably over a number of weeks, while some take longer. Staying active, avoiding long periods of sitting and following a clear plan generally helps. If your pain is getting worse rather than better, get it reassessed.
Coming from Greensborough
Bodyline Health is at 17 Main Road, Lower Plenty, a short drive from Greensborough. There is free parking, the clinic is fully accessible, and we are open six days a week. No referral is needed and HICAPS claiming is available on the spot. See also our page for chiropractic care for Greensborough locals.
Most sciatica Greensborough patients bring to us settles with the right mix of movement, hands-on care and time, and you don’t need a referral to book.
When to seek urgent medical help
Call 000 or go to an emergency department if you develop numbness around the groin, buttocks or inner thighs, difficulty passing urine or controlling your bladder or bowel, or rapidly worsening weakness in one or both legs. These can signal cauda equina syndrome, which needs urgent surgery. See your GP promptly if sciatica comes with fever, unexplained weight loss, a history of cancer, or follows a significant fall or accident.
Further reading on sciatica: Sciatica (Healthdirect Australia).
Sciatica Greensborough: common questions
Can a chiropractor help with sciatica?
Yes. Care starts with finding the cause of the nerve irritation, then uses hands-on treatment, gentle movement and a graded plan, with referral for imaging or specialist review if needed.
Should I use heat or ice for sciatica?
Ice on the lower back can help settle inflammation around an irritated nerve, particularly early on. Some people find gentle heat helps tight buttock and back muscles. Use whichever eases your pain, for short periods.
Is walking good for sciatica?
Usually, yes. Short, frequent walks keep the back moving without overloading it. Work to discomfort, not pain, and stop if symptoms are spreading further down the leg.
Do I need an X-ray or MRI for sciatica?
Not always. Many cases are diagnosed through history and examination. Bodyline Health has onsite digital X-ray when clinically indicated, and an MRI may be recommended if nerve symptoms are severe or not improving.
Do I need a referral to see a chiropractor near Greensborough?
No. You can book directly with Bodyline Health in Lower Plenty without a referral, and HICAPS claiming is available on the spot if you have private health cover with extras.
For more background, see healthdirect’s guide to sciatica.
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.
