A sharp, radiating pain that travels from your lower back down through your hip and leg is one of the most disruptive symptoms we see — and one of the most misunderstood. Sciatica isn’t a diagnosis on its own; it describes symptoms caused by irritation or compression of the sciatic nerve or its nerve roots, and figuring out what’s contributing to it is an important part of treatment.
What Sciatica Actually Feels Like
Beyond back pain, sciatica often shows up as numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation running down one leg, sometimes reaching the foot. It can worsen with sitting, bending, or coughing, and ranges from a dull ache to pain sharp enough to affect walking.
Chiropractic Assessment: Understanding the Cause
A thorough chiropractic assessment looks at where your symptoms may be coming from, including the lower spine and surrounding joints and tissues. Depending on the findings, treatment may include targeted manual therapy and soft tissue work to help manage pain and improve movement.
Kinesiology: Rebuilding Support
As symptoms settle, kinesiology-based rehab can help strengthen the muscles that support your spine and hips and improve movement patterns. This combination — assessment first, then rebuilding — focuses on both symptom management and longer-term function.
If radiating leg or hip pain is affecting your daily life, our chiropractic and kinesiology teams at Joayo Therapy in Brentwood, Burnaby can help assess what’s contributing to your symptoms and build a plan to help you move more comfortably again.
