Sciatica Treatment
Relief for Radiating Leg Pain, Numbness and Tingling
What Is Sciatica?
Sciatica is pain that travels along the sciatic nerve, from the low back or buttock down the back of the leg and sometimes into the foot. It usually starts when a nerve root in the lower spine is irritated or compressed, most often by a herniated or bulging disc, spinal stenosis, or tight muscles around the hip. At Momentum Health in downtown Kelowna, our physiotherapist, chiropractors, massage therapists and kinesiologist work together to find what is irritating the nerve and build a plan to calm it down and keep it from coming back.
Signs You May Have Sciatica
Symptoms usually affect one side of the body
Common signs include sharp, burning or electric pain running from the low back or buttock down one leg; numbness, tingling or "pins and needles" in the leg or foot; weakness when lifting your foot or standing on your toes; and pain that gets worse with sitting, bending, coughing or sneezing.
What Causes Sciatica?
Finding the source of the nerve irritation
Herniated or bulging discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, pregnancy, and long hours of sitting or repetitive lifting can all put pressure on the sciatic nerve. Your assessment pinpoints which of these is driving your symptoms, because the right treatment depends on the cause.
How We Treat Sciatica
Physiotherapy, chiropractic, spinal decompression and massage in one plan
Depending on your assessment, your plan may include physiotherapy to improve nerve mobility and strengthen your core and hips, chiropractic care to restore spinal and pelvic movement, spinal decompression therapy to take pressure off irritated discs and nerve roots, massage therapy to release tight glutes, hips and low back muscles, and kinesiology to rebuild strength so you can get back to work, sport and daily life.
When Should You Get Sciatica Checked?
Don't wait for leg pain to settle on its own
If your leg pain lasts more than a week or two, keeps coming back, or affects your sleep, work or walking, it's time for an assessment. You don't need a doctor's referral to book with our physiotherapist or chiropractors. If your symptoms started after a car accident, see our ICBC & MVA Care page. Seek emergency care right away if you notice loss of bladder or bowel control, numbness in the groin or inner thighs, or leg weakness that is quickly getting worse.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sciatica Treatment in Kelowna
Many cases improve within 4 to 6 weeks with the right care, but it depends on the cause and how long you've had symptoms. Disc-related or long-standing sciatica can take longer. Your practitioner will give you a realistic timeline at your first visit.
Both can help, and at Momentum Health you don't have to figure it out alone. Book with either one: they'll assess the cause of your symptoms and bring in other members of our team, like massage therapy or spinal decompression, when it will help you recover faster.
Spinal decompression can help when sciatica comes from a herniated or bulging disc or degenerative disc disease, by easing pressure on the affected nerve root. Our chiropractors will assess whether you're a good candidate before starting treatment.
Gentle movement is usually better than bed rest. Walking and specific exercises help keep the nerve moving and support healing, while long periods of sitting tend to make symptoms worse. We'll show you which positions and exercises ease your pain.
We take an interdisciplinary approach to sciatica - combining physiotherapy, chiropractic, spinal decompression, registered massage therapy and kinesiology under one roof
That means your practitioners work together on one plan, so you're not repeating your story or piecing together care from different clinics.
Sciatica-Related Conditions We Treat
- Herniated or bulging discs
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spinal stenosis
- Piriformis syndrome
- Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction
- Sciatica during pregnancy and postpartum
- Low back and leg pain after a car accident
- Recurring flare-ups from desk work, driving or heavy lifting
Get Started Today
Book Your Sciatica Assessment in Kelowna
Ready for relief from sciatic nerve pain? Book your assessment at Momentum Health, 103-1664 Richter Street in downtown Kelowna. No doctor's referral needed.
