Prestons · NSW · Open 7 days
Sciatica Treatment in Prestons
Sciatica — pain that travels from the lower back into the buttock and down the leg — can be sharp, burning or accompanied by pins and needles. At our Prestons clinic we help settle the irritated nerve, ease your symptoms, and treat the underlying cause so it’s less likely to return.
What is sciatica and what causes it?
Sciatica is a symptom rather than a diagnosis: it describes irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, which runs from your lower back through the buttock and down each leg. You might feel pain, tightness, numbness, tingling or weakness anywhere along that path, often on one side.
Common causes include a bulging or herniated disc pressing on the nerve, narrowing of the spaces in the spine, or tight muscles (such as the piriformis) compressing the nerve. Long periods of sitting, heavy lifting and sudden twisting movements can all trigger a flare.
How we treat sciatica in Prestons
Treatment starts with a careful assessment to confirm the pain is sciatic in origin and identify what’s irritating the nerve. We then use hands-on techniques to reduce pressure and tension — joint mobilisation, soft-tissue and remedial massage, dry needling, and nerve-gliding exercises that help the nerve move freely again.
Alongside symptom relief, we build a progressive program to address the cause: restoring movement in the lower back and hips, strengthening the muscles that support your spine, and adjusting the daily habits that aggravate it. Most people improve well with conservative care without needing injections or surgery.
What to expect and how long it takes
At your first visit we’ll explain what’s happening in plain language, start treatment on the day, and give you specific positions and exercises to ease the nerve at home. Many people notice their leg symptoms begin to settle within a few weeks, though recovery varies with the cause and how long it’s been present.
No referral is needed to start, and we’ll coordinate with your GP or arrange imaging if your presentation calls for it.
Frequently asked questions
How long does sciatica take to go away?
Many cases settle over a few weeks with the right hands-on treatment and nerve-specific exercises, but it depends on the cause and severity. We’ll give you a realistic timeframe and a plan after assessing you.
Should I rest or stay active with sciatica?
Gentle, guided movement usually helps the nerve recover, while long periods of rest can make things stiffer. We’ll show you nerve-gliding and positioning techniques that ease symptoms and which activities to modify for now.
Can physiotherapy or chiropractic help sciatica?
Yes — most sciatica responds well to conservative care that reduces nerve irritation and addresses the underlying cause. Because we offer physiotherapy, chiropractic and massage together, we tailor the approach to what’s driving your symptoms.
Do I need a scan for sciatica?
Often not. A hands-on assessment is usually enough to guide treatment, and scans are reserved for cases that don’t respond as expected or have specific warning signs. We’ll advise if imaging is worthwhile for you.