CONDITIONS · PHYSICAL
Sciatica
Sciatica, the pain, tingling, or numbness that travels from the lower back through the hip and into the leg, can range from a persistent background irritation to something that makes sitting, standing, and sleeping genuinely difficult. Understanding what's driving it matters more than simply managing the symptom.
What's actually happening
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body. It originates in the lower lumbar spine, passes through the pelvis, and travels down the back of the leg to the foot. When it becomes irritated or compressed, most commonly from a disc herniation, spinal narrowing, or sustained muscular tightening in the piriformis, the result is the characteristic radiating sensation that people describe as sciatica.
The lower back and pelvis are also areas where significant amounts of stress and protective tension accumulate over time. Prolonged sitting, postural habits, old injuries, and the muscular guarding that develops around a sensitised nervous system can all contribute to the conditions that place pressure on the sciatic nerve or its roots. This is why sciatica often worsens during stressful periods, and why it can be stubborn to resolve through approaches focused only on the painful area.
How we approach this
Dr Euan will take a thorough history before any hands-on work, including any imaging you've had, how the symptoms behave, and what positions or activities aggravate or ease them. The assessment will clarify what's contributing to the picture before any approach is suggested.
Network Spinal addresses the lumbar spine and pelvis gently, without the twisting or rotational movements that can aggravate an irritated nerve. Gentle manual adjusting is also available where it's appropriate and what you prefer. Care is always adapted carefully to the severity and nature of your presentation.
Disc problems: a common contributor to sciatica
Back pain: the origin of sciatic symptoms
What people notice
People with sciatica often notice that the radiating symptoms begin to reduce before the local back pain does, the leg sensation eases, sitting becomes more tolerable, sleep improves. Improvement tends to be gradual rather than immediate, and consistency of care matters in the early stages. Dr Euan will give you an honest picture of what to expect after the first visit.
If you are experiencing significant leg weakness, loss of bladder or bowel function, or severe and worsening symptoms, please seek urgent medical assessment. These symptoms require immediate attention.
Let's understand what's driving it
No referral needed. The first visit is a conversation and assessment before anything else. First visits available Wednesday afternoons and Thursday mornings.