Sciatica Treatment Oakville
Many patients visit our Oakville Chiropractic & Physiotherapy Clinic with a sciatica diagnosis, experiencing sharp, radiating pain from the lower back down the leg. True sciatica occurs when nerve pain extends past the knee, while pseudo-sciatica mimics similar symptoms but resolves much faster.
Our evidence-based treatment approach includes Chiropractic Adjustments, IFC, Muscle Release Therapy, Shockwave Therapy, and Acupuncture to provide lasting relief. While true sciatica can take 6 weeks to 6 months to heal, pseudo-sciatica is often resolved in just 5–10 visits with our expert chiropractors and physiotherapists.
Don’t let pain linger—get the right diagnosis and treatment today!
Sacroiliac Joint Pain Treatment Video:
What is Sciatica?
The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in the body, originating in the lower back and extending down to the foot, playing a crucial role in leg movement and sensation. When this nerve becomes compressed, irritated, or inflamed, it can result in sciatica—a condition characterized by sharp, radiating pain, numbness, or weakness along the nerve’s pathway.
Sciatica can develop due to various underlying conditions, including:
✔ Herniated or bulging discs, which place pressure on the nerve roots
✔ Sacroiliac (SI) joint dysfunction, leading to nerve irritation
✔ Piriformis syndrome, where a tight piriformis muscle compresses the sciatic nerve
✔ Spinal stenosis or degenerative changes, reducing space for the nerve
✔ Muscle imbalances or postural issues, exacerbating nerve irritation
At our Oakville clinic, our evidence-based healthcare professionals provide comprehensive assessments to determine the root cause of your sciatic pain.
Sciatic and Piriformis Anatomy Video
What Our Patients Are saying
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Dr.Steve and his team are very professional, focused. I came with severe pain in my knee, and he quickly got to the point, and in three sessions, I have recovered considerably- from not being able to walk and pain to a level of 10/10 in some positions, to being able... read more
Prashant Bhatt
November 7, 2024Dr. Jenn is terrific and has helped me so much over the years. She is very progressive and uses many different methods (technology, acupuncture, tools) to go beyond traditional chiropractic and resolve issues (acute and chronic). I also like how her office direct bills my insurance for me. Highly recommend!
Dr. Alison MacDougall
November 7, 2024Steve and his team are absolutely amazing. Very efficient. Absolutely knowledgeable and corrected my issue Very quickly. Steve and team are so friendly and such positive high energy in the office. Love seeing everyone 💕
Linda Paul
December 7, 2024 -
I had a neck injury, and they booked me in on the same day! Steve knew right away what to do and set out a plan to get me back to normal. Steve and the team are amazing :)
Lucija Paric
February 6, 2025Dr. Jenn and staff were amazing! Feeling a lot better these days.
Cody Craig
July 7, 2024Dr. Jenn was great to work with. I’d recommend her
Lida Liu
November 7, 2024 -
I’ve been to Dr Steve more than once over past several years. I had severe sciatica pain stemming from lower back to right hip to all the way down to right tows. He has magical hands. His sessions healed the issue completely and now I am able to play... read more
C C
September 7, 2024When I booked my first appointment with Dr. Steve, my SI was in so much pain, I couldn’t stand due to the pain and it was worse sitting down. I chose Dr. Steve just for proximity to work, and at the time desperate for some relief. Dr. Steve assured me... read more
Renee Phillips
February 6, 2025Great staff , very welcoming and knowledgeable
Heidi Bedard
July 7, 2024
4 Steps to Treating Sciatica
1. Interferential Current Therapy (IFC)
Once you have been diagnosed with Sciatica our chiropractic team will begin treatment with Interferential Current Therapy and some Heat. This will feel like a deep massage and help start the healing process. The heat and the electric stimulation from the IFC will increase blood flow, lessen pain and help relax the tissues.
2. Shockwave Therapy for Sciatica:
After 10 minutes of IFC our treatment team will shockwave the affected area. The area depends on the patient, but is usually the outside of the bum, lower back or closer to the hip on the sciatica side. Shockwave is an air powered gun that shoots a bullet 15 times a second against and applicator head. Most patients will start with 800-1000 “hits” to the affected area and then work their way up to 1500 “hits” as they begin to heal.
3. Active Release Therapy (ART) and Trigger Point Therapy
Once the shockwave therapy has been completed our chiropractor will perform some deep trigger point therapy and some ART. This will usually be in the gluteal muscles or the piriformis muscles of the affected sciatica leg. Active Release Therapy consists of Dr. Steve pressing his thumbs into a damaged muscle around the patients bum and moving the patients leg/knee/foot. Trigger point therapy is similar but without the moving of the leg.
4. Chiropractic Adjustment
Almost all sciatica patients receive a low back and mid-back adjustment if tolerated. Adjusting the low back realigns the SI joints and lumbar spine, relieving nerve pressure that may be causing sciatica. The patient lies on their side for this adjustment. The lower mid-back is also commonly adjusted to release joint restrictions, reduce tension, and alleviate nerve compression. This helps patients stand straighter and reduces strain on the lower back. This adjustment is typically performed with the patient face-up, as the chiropractor applies controlled pressure.
Our expert Oakville chiropractic team identifies three primary causes of sciatica: disc herniation, sacroiliac joint dysfunction, and piriformis syndrome. We’ll discuss each in detail!
3 Main Causes Of Sciatica:
1. Herniated Disc
2. Si Joint Dysfunction
3. Piriformis Syndrome
1. Disc disruption/herniation
There are varying degrees of disc injuries – the most mild being a slight bulging of the disc and the most severe being a full disc herniation. Our chiropractic clinic finds these injuries are most common in ages 20-45 and occur most frequently after heavy lifting or chronic overloading (repetitive bending at the waist). Lack of exercise and poor core strength can make people more vulnerable to this injury.
2. Sacroiliac Joint Syndrome (SI Joint)
SI Joint Syndrome is the most common cause of lower back pain at our Chiropractic and Physiotherapy Clinic. The sacroiliac joint is the connection between the pelvis and the spine. These joints can refer pain down the back of the leg when they’re inflamed or dysfunctional. Pregnancy, a leg length inequality or a lifting can all be causes of this pain. Pain is usually aggravated by any movement so it can be an intrusive pain to have!
3. Piriformis Syndrome
There is a muscle in the bum called the piriformis and It can squeeze the sciatic nerve and cause sciatica. If this muscle gets too tight it can cause symptoms down the back of the leg. This pain feels like a literal pain in the butt! It typically feels worse with sitting, but getting up and moving alleviates some of the pain. Piriformis Stretch Here.
Suffering from back pain and looking for an Oakville Chiropractor for Treatment?
So if your pain is running down the back of your leg, book an appointment to see Dr. Steve or Dr. Jenn. With all of these conditions, the sooner you can get them addressed the better! Don’t waste any time and come see us at Nottinghill Family Wellness Centre to get rid of your pain!
Sciatica FAQs
- What specialists are best for sciatica?
- What is the best treatment for sciatica?
- Can a chiropractor fix sciatica?
- What is the new treatment for sciatica?
- What to do when your sciatica is so bad you can not walk?
- How long does it take to treat sciatica?
Practitioners who specialize in the spine and muscle systems of the body have the best results treating sciatica.
Most patients with sciatica will need a combination of treatment including muscle release, shockwave, chiropractic care, physiotherapy and a sciatic specific exercise program.
Yes, chiropractors use a combination of treatment options to cure sciatica.
The newest scientific approved treatment is a combination of Shockwave Therapy and Stretching to treat sciatica.
The best option is trying to get to a practitioner who specializes in sciatica or nerve pain treatment. Icing will help with the inflammation and a piriformis stretch may help release the sciatic nerve.
Most sciatica patients see relief in 2 to 4 weeks. Some severe cases can take up to 6 months to resolve.