Sciatica Treatment in Edinburgh

Hand-drawn illustration showing common sciatica pain patterns radiating from the lower back into the leg.

Living with sciatica can be exhausting and unsettling. Pain that shoots down the leg, constant tension, numbness, or a fear of triggering symptoms can start to affect how you sit, move, work, and concentrate. Many people worry about making it worse, or feel unsure what they should or should not be doing.

At One Chiropractic, sciatica treatment is focused on understanding what is driving your symptoms and addressing it properly, rather than simply managing flare-ups. Care is tailored to your body, your symptoms, and how sciatica is affecting your day-to-day life.

Your first appointment includes a thorough assessment. Where chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment is usually provided at the same visit, with everything explained clearly beforehand.

What Causes Sciatica?

Sciatica is a term used to describe pain caused by irritation of the sciatic nerve. It is not a diagnosis on its own, and it can have different underlying causes.

Common contributors include:

  • Disc irritation or disc bulge

  • Joint restriction in the lower back or pelvis

  • Muscle tension placing pressure on the nerve

  • Movement, posture, or load patterns that continue to aggravate the area

Identifying the primary driver of your symptoms is important, as it guides how treatment is approached and what is likely to help.

Common symptoms of sciatica

Sciatica can present in different ways, and symptoms often fluctuate. You may experience:

  • Pain travelling from the lower back into the buttock, thigh, or calf

  • Sharp, shooting, or electric-type sensations

  • Pins and needles or numbness in the leg or foot

  • Pain that worsens with sitting, bending, or prolonged positions

  • A sense of weakness, stiffness, or reduced confidence using the affected leg

Many people also notice that symptoms affect sleep, concentration, and their ability to exercise or work comfortably.

How sciatica is treated

Treatment begins with understanding how and why the sciatic nerve is being irritated in your case.

Care may involve:

  • Targeted hands-on treatment to reduce joint or tissue irritation

  • Approaches aimed at improving movement and reducing nerve sensitivity

  • Advice on positioning, movement, and activity during recovery

  • Adjusting care based on how your symptoms respond, rather than following a fixed protocol

The aim is to help symptoms settle and to reduce the likelihood of them returning or escalating over time.

Sciatica treatment at our Edinburgh clinic

Sciatica care at our Edinburgh clinic is assessment-led and patient-centred. Time is taken to understand your history, how symptoms are affecting you, and what you want to be able to do again.

If chiropractic care is appropriate, treatment is explained clearly before anything is done. Care is always tailored to your comfort and needs, and you are encouraged to ask questions at every stage.

Follow-up appointments are guided by progress. As symptoms improve, care adapts to support recovery, confidence in movement, and a return to normal activity.

Book an appointment

If sciatica is limiting your movement, affecting your work, or making daily life harder than it should be, a clear assessment can help you understand what is going on and what you can do about it.

You can book your first appointment online.