Sciatica?
We See This
Every Day.
Chiropractic-Led · Nerve-Focused Care · 5 Clinics
That shooting pain down your leg. The numbness. The burning. Sciatica is one of the most debilitating presentations our chiropractors see — and one of the most responsive to care. Our chiropractors assess your lumbar spine and pelvis, identify the source of nerve irritation, and work with our physiotherapists to support your recovery.
Your Sciatic Nerve.
Our Focus.
The sciatic nerve is the longest and thickest nerve in your body — running from the lower spine through the buttock and all the way down each leg. When this nerve is compressed or irritated, the result can be intense pain, numbness, tingling or weakness anywhere along its path.
Our chiropractors assess the lumbar spine, sacroiliac joints and pelvis to identify where the nerve is being irritated. Through spinal adjustment and targeted mobilisation, chiropractic care aims to reduce the mechanical pressure on the nerve, restore normal joint movement and create the conditions for the body to heal. Sciatica is one of the presentations our chiropractors work with most frequently.
At WYLD, chiropractic care for sciatica is often combined with physiotherapy for rehabilitation and targeted exercise, and massage therapy to address the muscular guarding that accompanies most sciatic presentations.
Book a Chiropractic AssessmentWhat Causes Sciatica?
Sciatica is a symptom, not a diagnosis — it describes pain along the sciatic nerve pathway. These are the most common underlying causes our chiropractors identify.
Disc Herniation
The most common cause. When a lumbar disc bulges or herniates, the protruding material can directly compress the sciatic nerve root. This typically produces sharp, shooting pain from the lower back through the buttock and down the leg.
Spinal Joint Restriction
Stiff or misaligned joints in the lower spine can alter the space around the nerve roots. When the lumbar facet joints or sacroiliac joint are restricted, the resulting inflammation and mechanical change can irritate the sciatic nerve.
Piriformis Syndrome
The piriformis muscle sits deep in the buttock, and the sciatic nerve runs directly beneath (or sometimes through) it. When this muscle is tight, inflamed or in spasm, it can compress the sciatic nerve — producing symptoms identical to disc-related sciatica.
Spinal Stenosis
Narrowing of the spinal canal — often from age-related changes, bone spurs or thickened ligaments — reduces the space available for the nerve roots. This gradual compression can produce sciatic symptoms that worsen with standing or walking.
Pregnancy-Related
The weight and postural changes of pregnancy — particularly in the third trimester — can shift pelvic alignment and increase pressure on the sciatic nerve. This is a common presentation our chiropractors see at WYLD.
Lifting & Injury
Sudden heavy lifting, twisting under load, or acute injury from sport or falls can herniate a disc or strain the structures around the sciatic nerve. If your sciatica resulted from an injury, ACC may subsidise your care at WYLD.
Beyond the
Adjustment.
While chiropractic care is our primary approach for sciatica, patients often benefit from our full clinical team working together — particularly physiotherapy for rehabilitation and massage for muscular release.
Physiotherapy — Our physiotherapists focus on nerve mobilisation exercises, core stability and corrective movement to reduce sciatic irritation and prevent recurrence. Often recommended alongside chiropractic care, especially for disc-related presentations.
Massage Therapy — The piriformis, gluteal muscles and lower back muscles commonly tighten and guard around sciatic pain. Deep tissue massage can help release this tension, reduce nerve compression from muscular sources, and support recovery between chiropractic visits.
Acupuncture — Our acupuncturists commonly work with patients presenting with sciatic pain and nerve-related discomfort. Acupuncture may support pain modulation and nervous system regulation alongside chiropractic care.
What to Expect
A thorough chiropractic assessment of your lumbar spine, pelvis and sciatic nerve — because identifying the source of irritation is everything.
Health History
Your chiropractor takes a detailed clinical history — understanding your pain, lifestyle, work, activity levels and any previous injuries or imaging.
Lumbar Assessment
A hands-on examination including range of motion testing, orthopaedic tests, neurological screening and spinal palpation to identify areas of restricted movement.
Clinical Findings
Your chiropractor explains what they've found, discusses whether further imaging may be helpful, and outlines a recommended care plan tailored to your presentation.
Your First Session
If appropriate, chiropractic care may begin at your first visit. Your chiropractor explains everything before proceeding and answers any questions you have.
Injury-Related Sciatica?
ACC Can Help.
If your sciatica is the result of an injury — whether from lifting, sport, a fall or an accident — ACC may subsidise your chiropractic care at WYLD. Many sciatic presentations are injury-related and eligible for ACC support.
No GP referral is required. Our chiropractors and physiotherapists are registered ACC providers and can lodge a new claim at your first appointment. Simply mention your injury when booking.
WYLD is also recognised by Southern Cross health insurance for chiropractic, physiotherapy and acupuncture.
Book Your Chiropractic Assessment
Select your nearest clinic to book online. New patients welcome. ACC patients — mention your injury and sciatic symptoms when booking.
Sciatica FAQ
Sciatica is most commonly caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve from a herniated or bulging disc in the lower lumbar spine. Other causes include spinal joint restriction, piriformis muscle tightness, spinal stenosis and degenerative changes. Pregnancy and acute lifting injuries are also common triggers.
Chiropractors commonly work with patients presenting with sciatica. Chiropractic care focuses on assessing lumbar spine and pelvic function, identifying the source of nerve irritation — whether from a disc, joint or muscular cause — and using spinal adjustment and mobilisation to reduce mechanical pressure on the sciatic nerve.
Yes. Chiropractic care is ACC registered in New Zealand. If your sciatica is the result of an injury — such as a lifting incident, sports injury or fall — ACC may subsidise your care. No GP referral is required — your chiropractor can lodge a claim at your first appointment.
Both chiropractors and physiotherapists commonly work with sciatica. Chiropractic care focuses on spinal alignment and reducing nerve irritation through adjustment, while physiotherapy emphasises nerve mobilisation exercises and rehabilitation. At WYLD, both work under one roof — and many patients benefit from a combined approach.
This varies significantly depending on the cause. Some patients notice improvement within days, while disc-related sciatica may take several weeks to settle. Your chiropractor will assess the likely cause, discuss a realistic timeframe, and recommend a care plan tailored to your presentation.
Seek urgent medical attention if you experience loss of bowel or bladder control, progressive weakness in both legs, or numbness in the saddle area (inner thighs/groin). These are rare but serious signs that require immediate assessment. For all other sciatic presentations, our chiropractors can assess you promptly.
WYLD has 5 Auckland clinics: Ponsonby (20 Jervois Road), Newmarket (2A Railway Street), Takapuna (439 Lake Road), Howick (128 Picton Street) and Birkenhead (119 Birkenhead Avenue). All offer chiropractic, physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture. Open 7 days.
5 Auckland Clinics
"Sciatica is one of the most common nerve-related presentations across all 5 WYLD clinics — our chiropractors and multi-disciplinary team are here to help."
Ponsonby · Newmarket · Takapuna · Howick · Birkenhead