Sciatic nerve pain radiating from your lower back into your leg? Our Sunshine Coast chiropractors and physiotherapists treat sciatica at Mooloolaba and Nambour - and if you're not sure who to see, we'll help you decide (or combine both).
Sciatica is a term for pain, numbness, or tingling that travels from the lower back down through the buttock and into the leg - following the path of the sciatic nerve, the longest nerve in the body. It's not a diagnosis in itself but a symptom: something in the lower back (a disc, a joint, tight muscles) is irritating or compressing the nerve.
Common causes include disc bulges or herniations, spinal stenosis, piriformis syndrome, and degenerative changes in the lumbar spine. Knowing the cause matters because it shapes the treatment.
Both chiropractic and physiotherapy can successfully treat sciatica - but the approach differs. The advantage at Absolute Health is that you have access to both under one roof, and we'll direct you to whichever (or both) suits your presentation best.
Not sure who you should see? Here's how each approach works - and why having both in one clinic gives you an advantage.
Chiropractors focus on identifying and correcting the spinal component causing nerve irritation. Targeted spinal adjustments aim to reduce the pressure on the sciatic nerve at its source - without medication or surgery.
Physiotherapists focus on movement, muscle control, and rehabilitation. For sciatica, that means identifying movement patterns that stress the nerve, restoring strength and flexibility, and reducing nerve irritability through targeted exercise and manual therapy.
Not sure which to choose? Our chiropractors and physiotherapists work together in the same clinic - if you're unsure, just call and we'll point you in the right direction or combine both if that's what your case needs.
Your first consultation starts with a thorough assessment - we don't assume we know the cause before we've examined you.
Yes. Sciatica is usually caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve, often originating in the lower back. Chiropractic care aims to take pressure off the nerve through gentle, targeted spinal adjustments, which can reduce the pain, numbness and tingling that sciatica causes. Many of our Sunshine Coast patients find meaningful relief without medication or surgery.
It depends on the underlying cause. For many people, addressing the source of the nerve irritation resolves the sciatica rather than simply masking it. For others - particularly long-standing or disc-related cases - the goal is to significantly reduce pain and restore function while managing the condition over time. We assess your specific cause and are upfront about what to expect.
Both can help, and the best choice depends on your cause and presentation. The advantage at Absolute Health is that our chiropractors and physiotherapists work together in the same clinic, so you don't have to guess - we'll direct you to the right practitioner, combine both if needed, and refer between them as your recovery progresses.
Every case is different. Acute, recent sciatica often responds within a handful of visits, while chronic or disc-related sciatica can take longer and may need ongoing management. After your initial assessment we'll give you a realistic estimate based on your findings, rather than a one-size-fits-all plan.
Some patients feel their symptoms ease within the first few visits, though this varies with how severe and how long-standing the sciatica is. We focus on safe, steady progress and track your improvement at every appointment.
Not always. We start with a thorough assessment, and if imaging is needed our Mooloolaba clinic has an on-site digital X-ray so we can investigate straight away rather than sending you elsewhere. If we suspect something that needs further imaging (such as an MRI), we'll arrange the appropriate referral.
Yes, if you have a Medicare CDM referral from your GP. Sciatica associated with a chronic spinal condition may qualify for a Chronic Disease Management plan, which covers up to 5 allied health visits per year at no cost to you. Discuss this with your GP before your appointment. Learn more about bulk billing →
Same-day appointments available at Mooloolaba and Nambour. Book online or call us - we'll help you work out the best approach.
We'll get back to you shortly · or call (07) 5478 2333
