Pain that travels from the lower back or buttock into the leg can affect everything from sitting and sleeping to work and everyday activity. Sciatica describes a pattern of symptoms that can have different causes, which is why we start by understanding your symptoms and assessing what may be contributing before developing an individualised management plan.
Sciatica describes symptoms associated with irritation or compression of nerves that originate in the lower back and travel into the leg. Symptoms can include pain, pins and needles, numbness or weakness, and may occur with or without lower back pain.
There can be different factors contributing to these symptoms, including changes around the discs or spaces where the nerves travel. Imaging findings such as disc changes do not always correspond directly with a person’s symptoms, which is why scans are considered alongside your history and clinical assessment.
Because symptoms and their causes can vary, management is based on your individual presentation. We assess your symptoms, movement and function to help determine an appropriate management plan and whether further investigation or referral may be needed.
Some symptoms associated with back or leg pain require urgent medical assessment:
These symptoms are not always caused by a serious condition, but they should be assessed promptly. If you are unsure whether your symptoms require urgent medical attention, contact your GP or appropriate emergency medical service.
Your care starts with understanding you, your symptoms and the factors that may be contributing to them. From there, we develop an individualised management plan based on your assessment, needs and goals.
We assess your symptoms, movement and function and, where appropriate, perform a neurological assessment to help understand what may be contributing to your back and leg symptoms.
Depending on your presentation, management may include hands-on treatment, advice around comfortable positions and movement, and practical strategies to help manage your symptoms.
Movement, strength and exercise may be gradually incorporated into your plan, with progression based on your symptoms, function and the activities you want to return to.
We monitor how your symptoms and function change over time and adjust your management plan as needed. Where appropriate, we may recommend further investigation or review by your GP or another healthcare practitioner.
For sciatica treatment Melbourne’s south east residents come to our Wheelers Hill clinic from Glen Waverley, Mount Waverley, Mulgrave and beyond. Lower back pain treatment, disc injury concerns and referred leg pain are all assessed the same way, and if you are looking for a back pain osteopath in Melbourne’s south east, our osteopaths commonly manage these presentations.
Assessment, hands-on care and a gradual return to movement at our clinic near Glen Waverley.
Book an appointment at our Wheelers Hill clinic, near Glen Waverley. We’ll take the time to understand your concerns, assess what may be contributing to your symptoms and tailor your care to your individual needs and goals.
